Kids as young as 13 using the drug, say police

CHILDREN as young as 13 are thought to taking mephedrone in Burry Port, worried police have admitted.

The shock revelation came as an officer voiced fears over the malign spread of the drug, also known as meow meow.

Sergeant Heulwen Aston told town councillors last week: "It's in the town and it's unnerving.

"I have a 14-year-old daughter myself and this is the worst drug I have ever had experience of knowing."

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She was responding to a question from Councillor Steve James, who had asked if the problem was as bad in Burry Port as in Llanelli, or even worse.

Sergeant Aston said three people had been cautioned in relation to possession of mephedrone in the past two months.

She added that one Burry Port person was currently on bail for possession with intent to supply the drug.

"It is the scourge of Llanelli and it is affecting us in Burry Port," said Sergeant Aston.

She said there was a large team dealing with the issue.

"It's an ongoing investigation, featuring crime analysis, education — it's the whole package, we are not just thinking of mindless people.

"But it is something we are proactively dealing with in the Burry Port area," she said.

Mr James asked if she felt the police had all the resources and support they needed.

He said the term meow meow suggested "softness".

"It conjures up images of fluffy animals, kittens," said Mr James.

"It is a very pernicious word which seems to be aimed at even younger people. It's particularly worrying in that aspect.

"Have you got the tools you need to effectively tackle it?"

The officer responded: "I have certainly got the tools I need. We are very proactive in Burry Port, but we would never say no to more (support)."

In response to a question from Councillor Pat Jones about what sort of age group was being affected by the drug, Sergeant Aston said: "To my knowledge the youngest is 13."

Councillor John James was very worried by what was happening.

"It's so close to home," he said. "We don't realise the depth of the problem we have got. We should be doing something about it and having a police liaison meeting."

Steve James said people reporting the use of the drug could save lives.

"The more intelligence we have got, the safer our young people are going to be," he added.