Legal highs face ban after plea from sister of Telford victim

Both Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council said they would look at the possibility of introducing new rules which give police the power to confiscate "intoxicating substances" if they are taken in a restricted area.

Last week Lincoln City Council announced it would become the first authority in the country to ban the use of these drugs – which are not in themselves illegal – in public places.

Charlotte Delo, whose brother Jamie Penn, from Telford, died after taking the drug 4,4-DMAR in May last year, called for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils to act following Lincoln's move.

Although 4,4-DMAR, sometimes known as "crystal meow", is not illegal at present, the Government is working to change the law following a number of deaths.

Lincoln Council last week announced it would be the first local authority in the country to introduce rules banning the use of "intoxicating substances" in public areas of the city centre, giving police the power to confiscate the drugs from anybody found to be taking them.

Telford and Shropshire Council's have both now said they would consider similar bans.

Mrs Delo, who represented her family at Mr Penn's inquest last month(FEB), said it was important that the authorities did all that they could to stop people from taking the drugs.

"The measures that are being introduced in Lincoln are the first step towards stopping these drugs," she said.

"It's only a little step, but these little can lead to big steps. We have got to stop kids from being able to get this stuff."

Mr Penn, a 29-year-old trainee bricklayer, went to a house in Shrewsbury during the early hours of the morning where he took the drug, which was referred to during the inquest as "meow". He continued to take the drug when he returned to the house of an acquaintance with whom he spent the night, but died the following day.

Shropshire Council leader Councillor Keith Barrow said the council would consider imposing a similar ban, adding that he was aware there was a problem with the drugs.

"It is certainly something we will look at," he said.

"It's becoming an increasing worry, these drugs are doing a lot of harm to young people and we need to do all we can to tackle the problem."

Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: "We are aware of the steps Lincolnshire Council have taken to address this issue and will look into whether a similar scheme is possible locally and how it would be enforced.

"Telford & Wrekin Council proactively raises awareness of the potential hazards young people face in social environments through its Celebrate Safely campaign and we would urge people to think twice about taking currently legal substances that emulate the effects of illegal drugs.

"We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Mr Penn."