THE leader of Torridge District Council has written to the Prime Minister urging him to consider new legislation giving local authorities powers to ban 'legal highs'.

The letter by Cllr Phillip Collins has the support of all Torridge District Council members after it was discussed at the last full council meeting.

Cllr Collins said: 'In the interests of public safety, as well as the growing concerns locally and nationally, it is our public duty and corporate desire to do something about the unacceptable sale of so called legal highs.'

Letters have also been sent to health secretary John Hunt MP, and Tony Hogg, police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall. 

Cllr Collins said: 'We call for legislation to be urgently issued to allow local councils to enforce the banning of such products which we believe have contributed to a number of deaths, cause mental and physical side effects, and hold risks inherent to taking any unregulated or properly tested substance.

'Council officers will actively promote public awareness of the dangers related to these products and we urge the Government to act now on this important issue.'

Cllr Michael Footitt has also been calling for action since highlighting similar issues last year.

He said: 'Drugs intended for human consumption must be regulated by the Medicines Act, and therefore undergo rigorous testing to determine how they can be used safely.

'Legal highs fall outside of such regulations and so no one can be really sure if they could cause harm when consumed. Allowing sellers to hide behind loose disclaimers should be no defence when a substance is clearly sold for its psychoactive properties. People as young as 13 can buy these in shops or off the internet, and I am very concerned for local youngsters.'