SWINDON’S police chief has vowed to crack down on so-called legal highs after an Adver investigation found some of them contained banned substances.

Supt Gavin Williams said his officers would be vigilant when it came to designer drugs such as Slush Eric, or MPA, 4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC) and MXE, which can be easily bought over the internet.

The Adver commissioned analysis of packets of the substances bought from the website Wide Mouth Frogs, and the results turned up traces of class B drugs in the 4-MEC.

The ‘legal’ drugs have been linked to a surge in admissions at Great Western Hospital since August, while anecdotal evidence suggests the craze has claimed several lives.

The town is reportedly one of the worst spots in the country for problems related to legal highs, according to information collected by national health agencies.

Supt Williams said he was not surprised by the results of the Adver’s investigation.

“There is a real danger to people who use these because they do not know what is in them – they are playing Russian roulette with their lives,” he said.

“Even with hardened drug users it is causing them a real problem. It is having catastrophic effects on people.

“They are under the misapprehension that by taking this stuff it is going to be legal and safe.

“Each one differs in quality and substance, some are topped up with controlled drugs and they have even been cut with brick dust or whatever is to hand.

“If these were lawful and not harmful they would be sold in Holland & Barrett. The fact people are dealing them in the street says all you need to know.

“It is likely there will be steps to bring in a temporary ban at some stage.”

Supt Williams said anyone in possession or concerned in the supply of these drugs could expect to face close scrutiny.

He added: “If my officers have reasonable suspicion of controlled drugs they are able to make an arrest and we will analyse the drugs.

“If it comes back that they are unlawful they can expect to be placed before the courts. We will act robustly when we find what we suspect to be illegal.”

Anyone with any information about drug activity, including ‘legal highs’, should contact the police on 101.