Warning After ‘Laughing Gas’ Found

Harborough Police have warned of the dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide after twenty used canisters were found in a lay-by between Gumley and Smeeton Westerby.

Known as ‘laughing gas’ or ‘Noz’ it’s illegal to sell the small silver capsules for psychoactive purposes, although can be bought as are used to produce whipped cream.

Officer say there has been evidence of people using the canisters to release the gas into balloons and inhaling it at a number of remote locations in the District.

It produces a brief euphoria but floods users’ lungs and can cause unconsciousness due to lack of oxygen and suffocation.

It was linked to five deaths in the UK last year.