'Drug user' alert near Market Drayton school gates
A man seen injecting himself with an unknown substance outside a Shropshire school is being sought by police after sparking a drug alert.
The man was seen outside The Grove School in Market Drayton as children left to go home.
Constable Mick Sturland, of West Mercia Police's Market Drayton safer neighbourhood team, said he believed the man was taking drugs opposite the school in Newcastle Road on March 16.
He said there have also been reports of drug dealing in the area.
"We have had reports about dealing activity taking place in Barrow Styles Lane opposite The Grove," he said.
"This particular report involved a male seen by several children at school home time, appearing to inject himself with an unknown substance. Obviously this behaviour is absolutely deplorable.
"To openly take drugs in such a public place in front of children is both disturbing and disgusting. I would urge anyone who knows who this male is to call us on 101. He was a white male, on a blue bike with a scarf over his face."
He added: "In the meantime, we are collating the intelligence around Barrow Styles Lane and will look to target these individuals in due course.
"The public can help us greatly by calling in any sightings of males acting suspiciously around the entrance to Barrow Styles Lane and Stafford Road in particular during the afternoons in the week."
Late last year police called for help to clamp down on drug offenders in the town. The safer neighbourhood team asked people to report any suspicious activity.
Last year, a smuggling group of nine was jailed for conspiring to smuggle cannabis into the UK using a flower importation business based in the town as cover.
In a separate incident, two men were arrested after police raided a drugs den at a Market Drayton house.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
