Warning to drug users of potentially contaminated crack cocaine in Stockton.

Three people have sought hospital treatment after taking what police and public health colleagues believe could be contaminated crack cocaine.

Cleveland Police is currently treating the incidents as linked and while we would not advocate the use of illegal drugs, we would warn drug users that there appears to be a so-called “bad batch” of particularly harmful crack cocaine being sold by dealers in the Stockton area.

Anyone who experiences unexpected or severe ill effects from any drug use should seek immediate medical attention.

We would reassure our communities that with the support of public health colleagues and other local agencies, police are doing everything possible to identify the source of these drugs so we can take action against those supplying them.

If you have any information which could assist our enquiries, please contact Cleveland Police on the 101 number.

If you don’t want to speak to police you can pass information anonymously to www.crimestoppers-uk.org or phone them on 0800 555 111.