Carlisle Police have said they have seen a ‘serious increase’ in the misuse of nitrous oxide as possession of it becomes illegal in the UK.

From Wednesday, November 9, those found in unlawful possession will face either an unlimited fine, a visible community punishment or a caution - which would appear on their criminal record.

Repeat serious offenders may face a prison sentence of up to two years, an unlimited fine, or both.

Earlier this year the Home Secretary urged police forces to get tougher on flagrant drug taking in local communities, with reports linking nitrous oxide to anti-social behaviour such as intimidating gatherings on high streets and in children’s parks, and often leaving empty canisters scattered across public spaces.

Locally, it is not uncommon to see empty canisters strewn across the floor in parks and there are reports of children in their early teens using nitrous oxide.

A spokesperson for Carlisle Police said: “Locally we have seen a serious increase in the misuse of Nitrous Oxide and canisters being discarded along roadsides and parks, this change in the law will allow us to crack down on its use and distribution in the city.

“Nitrous Oxide is extremely dangerous if misused and can have fatal consequences.”

Licences will not be required to carry nitrous oxide, but individual users will need to demonstrate they are lawfully in possession of nitrous oxide and not intending to wrongfully inhale it.

The maximum sentence for production, supply importation or exportation of the drug for unlawful purposes has now doubled, from 7 to 14 years’ imprisonment.

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A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs Council: “We have long supported plans to make possession of nitrous oxide, without a legitimate reason, a criminal offence, as we recognise the blight recreational use of the substance can have on communities, specifically with regards to anti-social behaviour.

“We will continue to work closely with the government and partners following the introduction of the new legislation.

“Police forces are operationally independent, and the allocation of resources is at the discretion of each chief constable.”