Lincoln legal high ban: Extra police patrolling

Police have the power to confiscate the substances in Lincoln

Extra police officers are on patrol in Lincoln city centre to help enforce a ban on legal highs.

In April, Lincoln became the first place in the UK to issue a city-wide ban on taking the substances in public.

Officers said they were carrying out an enforcement day on Saturday to help raise awareness of the ban.

Police have the power to confiscate the substances and breaking the order could lead to an on-the-spot penalty or fine from the courts.

Lincolnshire Police said so far 100 people had been spoken to in relation to the public spaces protection order (PSPO), with many voluntarily surrendering the substances.

Legal highs produce the same, or similar effects, to drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy, but are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.