Anna Firth MP recently called for an emergency meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss nitrous oxide abuse across Southend-on-Sea. This follows a summer of anti-social behaviour and crime across the seafront linked to the ‘laughing gas,’ reaching a peak when Essex Police confiscated hundreds of industrial-use canisters on July 18th.
Since her election, one of the Southend West representative’s key aims has been to make the city a safer place to live. She has been working alongside Essex Police to ensure Southend, and especially the seafront, is a secure environment for family and neighbours to enjoy the fun without disruption from those causing trouble.
The anti-social behaviour and criminal activity linked to nitrous oxide abuse is also causing major trouble for local business, with one owner saying “I have been working on the seafront for years. Something needs to be done about it as anti-social behaviour is directly impacting my trade.”
Working with Essex Police and local Inspector Paul Hogben, Anna has already been working towards tackling nitrous oxide abuse by recently securing state-of-the-art electronic knife poles for local officers. These poles are able to detect nitrous oxide canisters and have led to their removal from suspects on the seafront.
However, she now wants the law to give the police more power to tackle nitrous oxide abuse which can lead to anaemia, nerve damage, paralysis or even suffocation.
Visiting the Home Office within weeks of Suella Braverman MP taking her position as Home Secretary, Anna Firth MP called for additional dispersal powers for local police forces.
She asked the Government to consider amending the current Public Order Bill to include extended the power of dispersal to seven days in emergency situations, as well to enhance the power of seizure for possession without explicit use.
The Home Secretary was receptive to the idea and will be inviting Anna to meet with Policing Minister, Jeremy Quin MP. They will discuss how this can be incorporated in the best way to empower forces such as Essex Police and tackle a crime which puts young people in hospital every two weeks.
Additionally, Anna asked for an update on the work into whether nitrous oxide should be classed as a controlled substance. The Home Secretary confirmed a conclusion from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will come in early 2023.
Speaking on the meeting at the Home Office, Anna said that “nitrous oxide is a toxic presence on our seafront. Since my election, I have met with dozens of residents and business owners have told me about how a sunny day strolling across the shore can be turned dark when groups are abusing the drugs and causing trouble in the area.”
“Local police did a fantastic job over the summer and I want to thank them by giving them the powers they need to change things.”
“It was delightful to meet with the Home Secretary and hear her fantastic attitude towards tackling this blight on our city. I will continue to support and work with Essex Police to ensure that this crime is tackled as a matter of priority, not just to create safer streets but to save young lives in the process.”
