Bolton: 'Comprehensive plan' trailed to tackle laughing gas

The use of nitrous oxide has been a long running concern across the borough, brought into recent focus by recent alleged cases of the substance being sold at various locations.

Mo Akram, a concerned resident of Bolton, says he is particularly worried about dangers to younger people as we enter the summer months.

Speaking last Sunday, he said: “As we fast approach major music festivals this summer, including the popular Parklife in Manchester later today, this attracts a particular young demographic who are targeted for direct sales of this product, leading to anti-social conduct, long-term illness or worse case death.

Laughing gas has caused concern across Bolton (Image: Newsquest)

“We are informed that many of the large wholesale distributors, with exclusive UK distribution rights are located and operate within Bolton's jurisdiction, with some traders located at Swan Mill off Swan Lane and Halliwell Road."

He added: “With no threat of enforcement action or prosecutions, the streets of Greater Manchester are littered with the by-product of gas cannisters.”

Just last March residents and their representatives were alarmed when used canisters were found dumped in a children’s playpark between Pendlebury Street and Ullswater Street.

The next month, a large number of nitrous oxide cannisters were seized by police in the Rumworth area as part of a wider crackdown.

Now Cllr Rabiya Jiva, Bolton Council cabinet member for stronger communities, says she intends to raise the subject with Greater Manchester Police and with city region mayor Andy Burnham to come up with a “comprehensive plan.”

She said: “I am very much of the opinion that the wholesale distribution of nitrogen oxide is a highly concerning matter that is blighting the lives of many of our people in Bolton.”

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Cllr Jiva, whose cabinet responsibilities include policing and public safety, explained that the government has recently announced plans to make possessing laughing gas illegal. 

But she added that the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 already makes the production, supply, and importation of nitrous oxide for human consumption illegal.

Cllr Jiva said: “I am determined that we take the necessary action across Bolton, and will also raise this with the Greater Manchester Mayor to ensure we are working together on this across Greater Manchester, to ensure that we clamp down heavily on the various suppliers of this abhorrent drug ensuring that they fully comply with the current law as stipulated above.

“Rest assured this is one of my key priorities and I will be working up a comprehensive plan with GMP to ensure we protect our young people from this harmful drug.”