'Dangerous giant' nitrous oxide cannisters taking over Essex streets

Large canisters of nitrous oxide, intended to be sold to the catering industry to whip cream, are increasingly appearing on the streets of south Essex.

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Previously, the drug had been synonymous with the bullet-sized silver canisters of nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - littered across streets.

But now, teenagers favour far larger cylinders with a significantly greater volume, posing a larger risk to health.

Fears - A haul of large cannisters seized along Southend seafront in July (Image: Essex Police)

Benfleet councillor Clive Walter said: “The inhalation of nitrous oxide by youths in St George’s Ward to get a high has been of concern for some considerable time.

“This was evident from the sheer quantity of small empty nitrous oxide cylinders we found lying in the gutters, parks and various other locations.

The smaller bullet cannisters (Image: Echo)

“However, of late the presence of these small empty cylinders has dwindled to almost zero and very worryingly been replaced by the larger and potentially much more dangerous larger containers.”

Campaign - Councillors Clive Walter and Susan Mumford show off their cannister lamp (Image: Clive Walter)

Charity Re-Solv, which helps people suffering from solvent abuse, says the use of larger cannisters has coincided with some young people inhaling directly from the valve, rather than dispensing the gas into a balloon first, increasing the risk of consuming dangerous amounts.

Councillor Susan Mumford said: “These dangerous giant cannisters pose a massive risk to our youth.

“They are everywhere across the borough now and are almost entirely replacing the small silver cannisters we used to find when out litter picking.

“Young people don’t realise how dangerous it can be to inhale nitrous oxide, especially in such large quantities.”

Ms Mumford and Mr Walter have launched a campaign to educate young people about the dangers ahead of Halloween.

The pair, with the assistance of expert wood turner Derek Keeler from at Thundersely’s Beacon Men’s Shed, to create a lamp shade using one of the larger cannisters.

They have also produced and distributed flyers on the harmful effects.

“We will take the lamp shade to youth events where it will be plugged in and will catch the eye of some of the teenagers to start a conversation with them about the drug,” Ms Mumford said.