The Labour party will demand action is taken against the use of legal highs at a Dartford council meeting tonight.

Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas or hippy crack, is a popular recreational drug among young people but it is not illegal to posses or use it.

Dartford Labour claims the use of laughing gas has become more common in the borough, especially in the town centre, Central Park, Temple Hill and Darenth Country Park.

Residents have expressed their concerns to councillors about litter and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Jonathon Hawkes, leader of Dartford Labour, said: “We know that legal highs are dangerous to those who use them and a major cause of concern for local residents. We believe that the council has a duty to do all it can to combat the use of legal highs in Dartford and that’s why we’ve asked for this debate.

“I believe we should work together to address the concerns of residents and protect the community.”

The party wants the council to raise awareness of the dangers of legal highs. They will ask for a consultation with residents about implementing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) throughout the borough.

The order will prevent people from ingesting, inhaling, injecting, smoking and possessing intoxicating substances. It will also ban selling and supplying.

These powers are available under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

They are designed to stop anti-social behaviour in a public space.