Claims kids are being used to bring Monkey Dust drugs into town

A DRUG at the centre of a public health crisis is increasingly being sold on the streets of Leek.

The drug, known as Monkey Dust, causes hallucinations and paranoia, and users have been known to climb trees and buildings and will lash out at members of the emergency services who approach them. It can be brought for as little as £2.

Monkey dust is also known as MDPV and comes as an off-white powder which can be swallowed, injected or snorted.

At last week’s meeting of Leek Town Council, Sergeant Alex Gould and PCSO Michael Simcock were present to answer questions on crime in Leek.

Councillor Keith Harrison said: “There is a new drug scare known as Monkey Dust, has it reached Leek?”

In reply Sergeant Gould said: “There has been an increase in the last month. Certain individuals are using it.

“We are looking at a closure order on a property in the Haregate area of the town where we think it is being used and are also looking at executing warrants.”

Councillor Roy Tomkinson said it seemed that users were using young children to bring in the drugs.

Sergeant Gould said: “This drug is a new thing. We are working with intelligence to see if it is coming from the city.”

Councillors also raised concerns over anti social behaviour, graffiti and vehicle crime in Leek.

Councillor Gail Lockett asked about anti social behaviour in the town.

Sergeant Gould said: “There was a rise in June and July. This could be down to

the hot weather and the World Cup. We have been doing some good work and there was a decrease in August.”

Councillor Brian Johnson said that he had serious concerns over graffiti in the town.

He said: “There seems to be a significant amount of graffiti in the town. Do we know who it is?”

PCSO Simcock said: “Names have been given, but it is not them. We thought it had stopped, but have now noticed more. It is also in Biddulph as well.”

Councillor Charlotte Atkins raised the

issue of vehicle crime. In reply Sergeant Gould said: “Theft has gone down in Leek, we did have a spate of incidents, but we have used a track vehicle, manned by plain clothes officers.”

Councillor Pam Wood asked what were Friday nights like as it had been noticed that there was a lot more noise in the town in the middle of the night.

Sergeant Gould said: “Fridays are quieter than Saturdays. There has been a huge difference since a safer night campaign. We do target individuals and can disperse people.”

Crime round-up – page 3