Concerns raised over laughing gas amid 'disgraceful' scenes outside primary school

CONCERNS have been raised about nitrous oxide canisters being used and dumped outside a primary school in Bradford on a daily basis.

The headteacher of All Saints Church of England Primary School, on Kennion Street, hit out at the criminal activity - branding it "disgraceful".

She said the school had also been forced to take further measures in a bid to improve safety for youngsters - after individuals posted canisters, syringes and "other highly unpleasant waste" into the playground.

Some of the laughing gas canisters found dumped near All Saints Church of England Primary School when our photographer visited the scene (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)

A worried resident told the Telegraph & Argus that he'd recently counted 12 discarded canisters near the school.

He said he had lived in Little Horton Green for several years and had seen a "massive increase" in the use of nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - in the area.

When the T&A visited the site, our photographer found several dumped canisters as well as balloons and other rubbish outside the school.

How it looked outside the school when our photographer visited (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)

Nitrous oxide has become one of the most commonly used recreational drugs by 16 to 24-year-olds.

Possession of nitrous oxide for drug use was made a criminal offence in November.

Bradford was one of the first cities in the UK to raise the alarm about the use of laughing gas.

West Yorkshire Police said it was working to tackle the problem.

'It's totally unacceptable'

Kathryn Shaw, headteacher of All Saints Church of England Primary School, told the T&A: "It's disgraceful.

"These canisters are discarded on the street on a daily basis.

"My site team clear the road every single day our pupils are in school in an attempt to keep the area safe for the children.

Kathryn and Derek outside All Saints Church of England Primary School (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)

"We have also had to spend a considerable amount of money to board up the gaps between the fence and the school playground.

"People were posting canisters into the playground, along with syringes and other highly unpleasant waste.

"The Kennion building houses our younger pupils - aged three to seven - and it is highly irresponsible and totally disrespectful that people drive to this road and abuse the space so appallingly."

The concerned resident who contacted the T&A - but did not want to be named - said: "Every morning there are empty canisters strewn all up the road.

"These are not isolated incidents - it's happening every night seven days a week.

"It's totally unacceptable."

He said he had counted 12 empty canisters on one recent morning.

More canisters our photographer saw near the school (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)

He added: "Young children shouldn't have to put up with all this illegal activity going on outside their school.

"It's absolutely shocking."

The man said police have been informed about the situation but "the problem is getting worse".

West Yorkshire Police response

The T&A contacted West Yorkshire Police over the concerns.

Inspector Andy Milner, of Bradford West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said action was being taken over laughing gas.
  
He said: "We are aware of reports across the district in relation to nitrous oxide.

"Where areas of concern are reported to us, we actively patrol these areas and deal with any offences that occur.

"We also utilise Bradford Council's Public Space Protection Order."
  
He added: "Officers have recovered large volumes of nitrous oxide from abandoned vehicles and have carried out joint operations with trading standards to identify and tackle sellers. 
  
"I would encourage anyone who sees people using nitrous oxide to report it to us immediately so we can respond effectively.

"Information can be given via 101 or via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/report-it."

According to drug information website Frank, low levels of nitrous oxide use result in severe headaches, dizziness, an inability to think straight and short-lived but intense feelings of paranoia.

Announcing the ban on possessing laughing gas for its psychoactive effects in November, the Government said nitrous oxide abuse was dangerous to people's health.

Now categorised as a Class C drug, possession carries a sentence of up to two years in prison.

Those found to be supplying or producing it could be jailed for up to 14 years.