A BARNSLEY district plan is being formed by authorities to combat zombie-like users of a drug known as spice.
The fast-acting drug, which used to be a so-called ‘legal high’, is thought to be behind the increasing reports of people being found collapsed in the town centre.
Although police have introduced strict stop and search powers on those thought to be using the synthetic cannabinoid in recent weeks, the Chronicle can reveal that police are devising a plan of action alongside Barnsley Council’s safer neighbourhood services due to the number of cases plaguing the town.
Civil injunctions, which ban people from entering the town centre, have been handed out to offenders after councillors and businesses complained to police about the negative effect spice users are having on the town centre.
Inspector Andy Norton said: “Spice is a nationwide problem but it is here in Barnsley and we’ve been looking at ways as to how we can address it.
“It’s not pleasant to see and it does affect the public’s perception of a place, so there is a district plan in place to solve it. Civil injunctions are one way in which we’ve been able to act, although there is a fine balance between enforcement and supporting those who are under the influence of the drug.”
The substance leaves users in a semi-conscious state which has been likened to ‘zombies’ by those who have witnessed the drug’s effects on people in the town centre.
Police are working alongside Barnsley Council which is responsible for introducing more civil injunctions to prevent spice users from being in the town centre and Barnsley Hospital as well as mental health workers who work in police custody suites.
Officers, who have identified spice-related issues as one of their priorities, are conducting regular high visibility patrols, holding crime reduction stalls in venues such as Barnsley Interchange, and public meetings in order to engage with people expressing their concerns about the town centre.
Insp Norton added: “We know people are taking the drug but we don’t want that to reflect Barnsley town centre and put off shoppers and affect businesses.
“The council and the police are absolutely adamant that we will do everything we possibly can to minimise this.
“Luckily, the new policing model means we now have council staff based in the hubs where officers are based, so it’s much quicker to put plans into action.”
