"No laughing matter" Surrey council cracks down on illegal use of Nitrous Oxide
Spelthorne Borough Council has put in place a Public Spaces Protection Order
A Surrey Council has taken steps to tackle to the illegal use of Nitrous Oxide- commonly known as laughing gas.
The drug is usually inhaled using a balloon.
Spelthorne Borough Council has put in place a Public Spaces Protection Order.
It means anyone who is found in possession of Nitrous Oxide on public land without a reasonable excuse (i.e. catering purposes) will be given a £100 fixed penalty notice or risk a fine in court of £1,000.
The Council launched a public consultation1 in January where 97% of residents indicated that they were in favour of a PSPO and believe the use of nitrous oxide is a problem in the Borough.
The concerns raised in the consultation regarded intimidation, noise, public urination, verbal abuse, aggressive behaviour, and littering.
Cllr Amar Brar, Chair of the Neighbourhood Services Committee, said:
"We have seen a considerable increase over the last two to three years in the use of Nitrous Oxide cannisters.
"There are real concerns from residents about the risks of this drug and the gateway effect to other dangerous substances.
"This Council wants to alleviate the impacts of this drug by educating users on the adverse effects and provide a safe community for all residents in Spelthorne.
"This public space protection order will provide powers to the police and our Joint Enforcement Team to issue fixed penalty notices in the event of a breach.
"We know our residents have felt strongly about this issue and we thank them for their responses to our consultation."
Consuming Nitrous Oxide has many side effects and risks including:
• Dizziness, which might make you act carelessly or dangerously
• Regular use of nitrous oxide can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and to a form of anaemia which can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes which is very painful and makes walking difficult
• Regular use can stop you forming white blood cells properly
• If you have too much you can end up fainting, having an accident or worse
• Risk of stroke or falling unconscious
• Suffocating from the lack of oxygen
• Driving when high is dangerous and illegal and has the same ramifications as drink-driving
• Users can become addicted to nitrous oxide