St Helens police officer speaks of impacts of ketamine

Police in the town have said there has been an increase in the use of the Class B drug among youths in the area.

There have been increasing concerns about the drug's effects on behaviour.

In a video, Police Constable Pete Allen said that officers have seen a “rapid escalation in violent crime and anti-social behaviour” in and around St Helens town centre.

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He said: “I’m here to tell you that it is a criminal offence to possess ketamine and it can take a sentence of five years for possession, and 14 years for possession with intent to supply. They are the maximum sentences you could be looking at, between five and 14 years.”

PC Allen added that police are concerned about “the rapid escalation in violent crime and anti-social behaviour that’s currently occurring in and around the town centre areas.

“We are also concerned about driving under the influence of ketamine which could carry a 12-month driving ban, which for young drivers will take their annual policy from approximately £2,000 to £6,000-plus a year.

“What we then see is young drivers driving vehicles without the insurance which leads on to a full life of crime.”

PC Allen added: “I mainly deal personally with the under 18, what we call the youth offenders, and when they come through to us when they’ve been stopped with ketamine on the street we hold what’s been called an our of court panel every week on a Thursday where we sit and discuss what should happen to the child or the youth.

“Here we will often see them go to the Young People Drug and Alcohol Team where they can have several sessions with them.”

He also spoke of how criminal gangs are exploiting young people in the town.

Police conducting searches for ketamine last week

PC Allen said: “What we’re finding in St Helens is that criminal gangs are exploiting the young youths and they are coming down from the larger cities like Manchester and Liverpool.

“These are called county lines and at present we’ve suggested that there is over 1,000 county lines in and around the country that is run from St Helens grooming gangs where young children are at the end of the mobile phone, which is the line, and they are being exploited to sell the likes of ketamine within cuckoo houses.”

He added: “I’d like to end this short talk by telling people that it’s never ever too late to stop taking or selling ketamine.

“There is always somebody out there to talk to and get in touch with any responsible adult, teacher, friend, police officer or the Young People Drug and Alcohol Team. We do care.”