The West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner has joined other PCCs calling for ‘Spice’ to be reclassified as a Class A drug, because of the devastating impact it can have.

In a letter to the Home Office, Commissioner John Campion is one of 20 PCCs raising the issue of synthetic cannabinoid products, which can have incapacitating and unpredictable psychoactive effects on users.

The substances have been linked to 27 deaths in one year and are creating extra demand for policing and other public services. In West Mercia, the Commissioner has provided grant funding for drug addiction services including Addaction in Herefordshire.