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| Laughing gas laws not working, says ex-chief crown prosecutor | Laughing gas laws not working, says ex-chief crown prosecutor |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The law governing the sale of nitrous oxide, widely known as laughing gas, is simply not working, a former senior prosecutor has said. | The law governing the sale of nitrous oxide, widely known as laughing gas, is simply not working, a former senior prosecutor has said. |
| Legislation introduced in 2016 made it illegal to sell the gas, also known as "noz", for psychoactive purposes. | Legislation introduced in 2016 made it illegal to sell the gas, also known as "noz", for psychoactive purposes. |
| But undercover BBC journalists easily bought nitrous oxide by phone, online and in person at two Manchester shops. | But undercover BBC journalists easily bought nitrous oxide by phone, online and in person at two Manchester shops. |
| Former North West of England Chief Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal said the law was clearly failing to stop supply. | |
| More stories from North West of England | More stories from North West of England |
| Nitrous oxide use was linked to five deaths last year, according to official statistics, and is the second most popular recreational drug after cannabis in England and Wales. | Nitrous oxide use was linked to five deaths last year, according to official statistics, and is the second most popular recreational drug after cannabis in England and Wales. |
| Its supply is difficult to control because it has legal uses - to produce whipped cream in the catering industry, and in medicine as an anaesthetic. | Its supply is difficult to control because it has legal uses - to produce whipped cream in the catering industry, and in medicine as an anaesthetic. |
| A joint investigation by BBC North West Tonight and BBC Radio Manchester found it was relatively simple to flout the law. | A joint investigation by BBC North West Tonight and BBC Radio Manchester found it was relatively simple to flout the law. |
| A reporter called Bolton-based 24/7 delivery company Speedy Whipped Creams and asked if she could get some "noz" delivered to an address in Manchester. | A reporter called Bolton-based 24/7 delivery company Speedy Whipped Creams and asked if she could get some "noz" delivered to an address in Manchester. |
| Within two hours, a taxi driver handed over a bag containing two boxes of 24 canisters. | Within two hours, a taxi driver handed over a bag containing two boxes of 24 canisters. |
| In a statement, Speedy Whipped Creams said: "We do not sell laughing gas - we sell cream chargers. | In a statement, Speedy Whipped Creams said: "We do not sell laughing gas - we sell cream chargers. |
| "If we'd known the customer intended to use the product as a drug, we would not have delivered it." | "If we'd known the customer intended to use the product as a drug, we would not have delivered it." |
| 'Death in a box' | 'Death in a box' |
| An undercover reporter also visited 10 corner shops in Manchester, asking each time for "laughing gas" or "noz". | An undercover reporter also visited 10 corner shops in Manchester, asking each time for "laughing gas" or "noz". |
| She was able to obtain nitrous oxide from two of them. | She was able to obtain nitrous oxide from two of them. |
| Mr Afzal, who described nitrous oxide canisters as "death in a box", told the BBC he was worried when shown undercover footage. | Mr Afzal, who described nitrous oxide canisters as "death in a box", told the BBC he was worried when shown undercover footage. |
| "We've got many instances of people who have... suffered serious harm and death because they've used, misused and abused what it is you've purchased," he said. | "We've got many instances of people who have... suffered serious harm and death because they've used, misused and abused what it is you've purchased," he said. |
| He called for the sale of nitrous oxide to be licensed to make "it much more rigorous, rather than what it currently is - a complete free-for-all". | He called for the sale of nitrous oxide to be licensed to make "it much more rigorous, rather than what it currently is - a complete free-for-all". |
| The BBC investigation also uncovered how people can quickly order nitrous oxide for home delivery on Amazon. | The BBC investigation also uncovered how people can quickly order nitrous oxide for home delivery on Amazon. |
| In one case, laughing gas canisters were handed over to a 16-year-old without any questions asked. | In one case, laughing gas canisters were handed over to a 16-year-old without any questions asked. |
| Amazon told the BBC: "Product pages for age-constrained items highlight that they are for over 18s only, and we state clearly on our website that users of amazon.co.uk must be 18 or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian." | Amazon told the BBC: "Product pages for age-constrained items highlight that they are for over 18s only, and we state clearly on our website that users of amazon.co.uk must be 18 or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian." |
| Prof Harry Sumnall, of Liverpool John Moores University's Public Health Institute, said surveys suggested about 9% of 16 to 24-year-olds had used nitrous oxide, a figure that had remained static despite the change in the law. | Prof Harry Sumnall, of Liverpool John Moores University's Public Health Institute, said surveys suggested about 9% of 16 to 24-year-olds had used nitrous oxide, a figure that had remained static despite the change in the law. |
| "Over the last 15 to 20 years, there's been around 30 deaths associated with nitrous oxide," he said. | "Over the last 15 to 20 years, there's been around 30 deaths associated with nitrous oxide," he said. |
| "So in relation to the number of users, deaths are relatively rare, thankfully, but obviously the risk is there." | "So in relation to the number of users, deaths are relatively rare, thankfully, but obviously the risk is there." |
| Nitrous oxide - the highs and lows | Nitrous oxide - the highs and lows |
| Source: Frank | Source: Frank |
| In the past financial year, there were 16 seizures of nitrous oxide across north-west England. | In the past financial year, there were 16 seizures of nitrous oxide across north-west England. |
| Det Ch Insp Gwyn Dodd of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We carry out regular patrols in the areas most affected, including university campuses and accommodation, to tackle those who are selling these substances and advise those who are using psychoactive substances just how dangerous it can be." | Det Ch Insp Gwyn Dodd of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We carry out regular patrols in the areas most affected, including university campuses and accommodation, to tackle those who are selling these substances and advise those who are using psychoactive substances just how dangerous it can be." |
| The Home Office said: "Drugs like nitrous oxide have already cost far too many lives, which is why this government changed the law to make it illegal to supply for its psychoactive effect." | The Home Office said: "Drugs like nitrous oxide have already cost far too many lives, which is why this government changed the law to make it illegal to supply for its psychoactive effect." |