Nitrous oxide: Kent Police crackdown on nitrous oxide use after ban

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that is inhaled and commonly used as a painkiller in medicine and dentistry

Police in Kent are cracking down on nitrous oxide use after possession of the gas was made a criminal offence.

The ban, which came into force in November, aims to tackle anti-social behaviour

'Laughing gas' can make people relaxed, light-headed or dizzy, but some dangerous side-effects have also been linked to it.

Kent's police and crime commissioner Matthew Scott said: "People wrongly believe that it is a harmless high."

He added: "In fact, you can cause not just fainting and other things, but serious neurological damage."

Mr Scott said people risk funding criminality by buying nitrous oxide

Many recreational users buy the gas in small metal canisters, release it into a balloon and inhale the contents.

Mr Scott said: "We know that drugs are linked to so many other types of offences.......anti-social behaviour for one, because often there can be large gatherings of people all using the nitrous oxide.

"They can be rowdy, there has been evidence of graffiti, litter, criminal damage, and that really does impact upon people's quality of life and their feelings of safety."

Mr Scott said nitrous oxide is also linked with drug-driving, with some people wrongly thinking they can get behind the wheel after using the substance.

Those caught with nitrous oxide for unlawful use face a caution, community service or an unlimited fine, while repeat offenders could serve up to two years in prison.

The maximum sentence for production or supply of the drug for unlawful purposes is 14 years.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].