Police, Trading Standards and specially trained dogs take anti-vaping message into borough’s schools

Schoolchildren across Redcar and Cleveland have been told of the dangers of vaping after some vapes have been found containing Class B drugs such as ‘spice’ and cannabis, making them very dangerous.

Trading Standards Officers and police officers have toured secondary schools across the borough to hit home the message that when inhaled these can cause serious health conditions including breathing problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, psychosis, suicidal thoughts and heart attacks.

They also stressed the fact that it is illegal to buy vaping products under the age of 18.

Dog handler Lester and his sniffer dog Beans carried out activities with students to show how these vapes can be detected and located on any person.

Another dog, Denzel, conducted searches of schools to try and detect anything already on the premises. PCSO Bell spoke to students about how the police deal with young people if they have dangerous vapes and how they try to track down the people who have supplied them.

The visits were organised by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Trading Standards team who also worked with schools to set up vape amnesty boxes so that students can anonymously dispose of any vapes safely.

Redcar and East Cleveland Neighbourhoods Inspector Neil Deluce said: “My officers were pleased to support this important activity by educating the young people about the real dangers of these vapes and the risk they pose to anyone who uses them. Without specialist testing there is absolutely no way of knowing exactly what they contain and this is extremely concerning.

“Not only that, we reinforced the serious message that police will take robust action against anyone found in possession of these illegal substances - as well as anyone involved in supplying them.

“You can report the use/supply of illegal/dangerous vapes to Cleveland Police online via our website here Something you've seen or heard | Cleveland Police or by phoning the 101 number.”

Cllr Ursula Earl, Cabinet Member for Health, Welfare and Housing, explained the special visits were set up after the Council’s Trading Standards officers received intelligence of sometimes dangerous vapes being found on school premises across the region which do not confirm to industry standards.

Cllr Ursula said: "This kind of direct engagement with young people is the best way of getting important messages across. If it stops just one child from doing something that could seriously endanger their health it is well worth it. I’d like to thank everyone involved.”

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.