Nitrous oxide use is 'on the rise' says councillor

POLICE TOLD 'LAUGHING GAS' CANISTERS LITTERING STREETS IN CITY AREA

- GURDIP THANDI News Reporter

Nitrous oxide canisters strewn across a pavement and, left, Cllr Izzy Knowles

THE number of discarded 'laughing gas' canisters strewn across the streets of a Birmingham area doubled last year.

Councillor Izzy Knowles, who represents Moseley, warned members of the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel the issue of nitrous oxide use had not gone away.

She said the Moseley Litterbusters group keep records of how many canisters they pick up and had noted 1,118 in 2025, compared with 476 the year before.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said the issue remained a matter of concern for him despite the issue not being raised with him as much as it previously did.