The number and types of drugs seized by Police in North West in 2022 has been revealed

A new report by the Home Office has revealed the number of drug seizures that happened in the year to March 2022 across the North West, and which drug types were most commonly seized by local Police authorities. 

The report, analysed by local drug addiction treatment experts at UKAT, shows that in 2022, 13,331 drugs were seized by Forces across the North West. This is up by 75% in just 5 years when 7,599 seizures of controlled drugs were made by Police Forces in the North West in 2016/17.

UKAT says the majority of drugs seized by Police were done so in:- Greater Manchester 7,829 followed by Lancashire (2,401) and Cheshire, 1,457.

Their analysis of the findings show that 21% (2,956) of the drugs seized in the North West were Class A drugs, the most common Class A drug seized being cocaine (1,886 seizures).

Ecstasy was seized in Greater Manchester 48 times last year, compared to just 6 seizures in neighbouring Cheshire.

Crack cocaine was seized 228 times, in Lancashire, over 2022, compared to just 110 seizures within Merseyside, and just 29 in Cumbria.

Cannabis accounted for 68% of all drugs seized in the North West. 

Ketamine is a concern in Merseyside, with the area accounting for 45% of all seizures of this drug in the wholeRegion.

Across England and Wales, the quantity of ketamine seized by Police Forces and Border Force increased by 884%, from 187kg in the year ending March 2021 to 1,837kg within the latest year.

Overall in the North West, just 2% of all seizures were for Class C drugs like Benzodiazepines, GHB and Temazepan. 

Most concerningly for the UKAT Group, 12% of all drugs seized in the Region are classified as:- "unknown substances." 

Nuno Albuquerque, Head of Treatment for the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT) comments:- "The number of controlled drugs seized by Police Forces across the North West is shocking but a welcome relief, as it means there are fewer dangerous substances penetrating vulnerable communities in the Region. The volume of 'unknown substances' is of most concern to us, as we hear parents calling us every day asking for help for their child who is taking non-descript pills. We hope Police Forces and Border Force continue to up efforts to stop controlled drugs from entering the country as a whole, because these latest figures across England and Wales are 14% down on the previous year, but the second-highest number since 2014."

24/7 confidential help and advice with drug addiction is available though the UK charity FRANK on:- 03001236600. You van also find details of local and national services that provide counselling and treatment in England, on FRANK's website:- TalkToFrank.Com.

Bowring Park Announce Free Activities For Mental Health Awareness Week

TAKING place from:- 15 May to 22 May 2023, the park and golf course will be offering a range of free activities to support mental health and wellbeing in the local community.

All activities are designed to promote specific aspects of mental wellness, and will be free of charge to the public. Activities include yoga classes, a dog walking event, free golf on selected days, fitness classes for mums with babies and pregnant women, gardening classes, digital check ins and wellbeing walks. 

Bowring is passionate about getting the local community more active, whether through golf or other activities it's able to offer at the venue. 

The week of activity comes just weeks after the Golf Course released its new membership prices for the 2023/24 season, which aims to make golf accessible to all, whether coming to play regularly or just a few times a month. 

There are monthly rolling memberships, 5 day memberships and 7 day memberships, so whether someone is just starting out or looking to join a new course, we welcome golfers of all abilities and experience.

Helen Paton, Development Manager at Bowring Park, said:- "We're excited to be offering such a wide range of activities for Mental Health Awareness Week. We hope that everyone in the community will take advantage of these free opportunities. We believe it's really important to support mental and physical health and wellbeing in our community and hope that these activities will help people to connect with others, get active, and learn new skills; all of which can have a positive impact on mental health."

Schedule of events from:- 15 May to 22 May 2023, are as follows:-

Monday:-  2pm to 4pm:- Social golf sessions - meet new people and stay active. 

Tuesday:-

• 12pm to 2pm:- Digital Drop in at the Coach House - training people on technology and how to stay connected.  
   

• 1.30pm Free Mamafit HIIT session in Walled Garden, Bowring Park. Specifically designed for mums & pregnant women, an express 30 minute workout helping to burn fat and get in shape quickly!
   

• 2pm to 4pm:- Social golf sessions - meet new people and stay active. 

Wednesday:-

• 10am to 12pm:- Gardening Club; a great way to stay active and therapeutic at the same time. We're opening up the gardens where you can come and work with our professional gardener to care for the grounds.
   

• 2pm to 4pm:- Snack chat - a place for people to come for nibbles and talk. Raising awareness of the support that's available and the importance of looking after your mental health. 
   

• 2pm:-  Wellness Walks; Guided walks around the Bowring Park grounds, keeping active and meeting new people. Led by Knowsley Rangers.
   

• 6pm to 8pm:- Discgolf; Fun for the whole family to get involved in and free too. Play golf with frisbees!

Thursday:-

• 1pm to 3pm:- Thursday. Gardening Club.  Working with our professional gardener.
   

• 10pm to 11am, 12 noon to 1pm, 3pm to 4pm Sign up online to 1 of 3 free yoga sessions. Join 'More Love Yoga' to calm and balance your mind and body and open your heart. Suitable for beginners or experienced yogis. We just ask that you bring a yoga mat. 

Friday:-

• 11am to 12pm:- Well Walk Meditation walks - powered by:- 'Transform Lives.'
   

• 1pm to 2:30pm:- Free Mamafit Mums Social Walk and Talk (buggy walk) around Bowring Park estate.

Saturday:-

• 12pm to 3pm:- Free Disc Golf - Fun for the whole family to get involved in. Play golf with frisbees.
   

• 2pm to 4pm:- Social golf sessions - meet new people and stay active.

Sunday:- 11am to 2pm:- Dog walkies and photos. We are holding an organised dog walk for people to meet and talk with like minded dog owners, and afterwards we'll have a pro photographer to take a free portrait picture of you and your dog. If your dog's lucky, there may be a puppicino in it for them at the end too! 

To book your slot, please visit the Bowring Park and Gold Course Events Page.  For more information about the activities at Bowring Park and Golf Course during Mental Health Awareness Week, or to learn more about their membership options, please visit the Bowring Park and Golf Course website.