Teacher lashes out at laughing gas louts

Nitrous Oxide containers littering Clive Road in Failsworth

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

A SHOCKED teacher has blasted "disrespectful" yobs who left dozens of laughing gas canisters strewn across the street outside a primary school.

Gareth Day was walking along Clive Road in Failsworth, Oldham, when he saw scores of nitrous oxide containers littering the road ­- just yards from the entrance to St Mary's R C Primary School.

Used balloons were also seen on the street on Monday, 15 minutes before children were due in for a breakfast club at 8am.

Mr Day told the Chronicle: "I was walking along the street to get the tram to get the tram and I noticed the absolute mess on the floor near the school.

"There were dozens of laughing gas canisters among other dangerous rubbish littered across the pavement just yards from St Mary's Primary School entrance. It was absolutely disgusting to see this in the first place, never mind right outside a primary school just before the children were due in.

"I knew what the canisters were straight away because they were all over the news earlier this year with the new laws on legal highs coming in.

"It's shocking to see this kind of thing where you live, especially near a school. For one, laughing gas is now illegal, so these people shouldn't be doing it anyway.

"And the fact all that rubbish has been left right outside a school is shocking, where parents and children would have to walk over it. It's a horrible sight for them to have to see first thing in the morning.

"People need to have more respect for where they live. If they're doing this kind of thing, it's up to them, but the rest of us shouldn't have to see the remnants of it.

"I wish people would have more pride - and respect."

Nitrous oxide has been legal in the past, but since the Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect on May 26, it is now illegal to supply or import it for human consumption.