Pupils' vapes are tested for spice contamination

Police are looking for harmful substances being ingested by pupils

A police force is testing vapes confiscated from secondary schools for drug contamination.

Wiltshire Police issued a warning to pupils amid a rise in vapes contaminated with spice and THC across the country.

The force said there have been several cases at schools in the county, with one incident where a child was feared to be having a fit.

Spice is a lab-made drug that mimics the effects of cannabis, but can cause serious side effects including breathing problems, heart attacks, seizures and paranoia. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Hospital treatment

Officers are also urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using contaminated vapes.

Wiltshire Police is working with Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council as part of the scheme, with the University of Bath carrying out the tests.

The force said it had been made aware of several cases of contamination that have led to hospital treatment, with investigations ongoing as to the source of the vapes.

Police community support officer Jon Akehurst said: "Unfortunately, with spice there can be many different reactions.

"We've seen vomiting and behaviour changes, and we've had an incident where there were concerns that a child was having a fit. The reactions can be very, very broad."

He said the testing could help Wiltshire Police form a "hotspot map where there are concerns in local communities".

"We are not looking at taking any punitive action towards students," he said.

Mr Akehurst said pupils with drug issues would be referred to Connect Wiltshire, a free drug and alcohol service, or the specialist youth service UTURN if they live in Swindon.