https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article22097024.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/1_Girl-holding-marijuana-in-hand-close-up.jpg — Children as young as nine were caught with drugs in school, according to data (stock image) (Image: Getty)

Children as young as nine caught with drugs in schools across England and Wales

27 May 2020, 21:24 by Tom Pettifor, https://www.mirror.co.uk/authors/tom-pettifor/

Children as young as nine were among thousands caught with drugs in schools between 2016 and 2019.

More than 2,600 cases involving drugs on school grounds were reported to police in England and Wales during that time, according to data just released under Freedom of Information laws.

The figures show 589 incidents in 2016 rising to 751 last year, up 27.5%.

Cannabis was involved in 1,899 incidents, MDMA in 64 and cocaine in 58.

Heroin was found nine times, with prescription drugs also discovered.

Possession accounted for 1,779 incidents, with 108 supply-related offences and 62 listed as “other”, including trafficking.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Schools are particularly concerned about the sinister spread of the drugs trade by so-called ‘county lines’ gangs, in which vulnerable young people are coerced into dealing.”