SURREY Police are warning shop owners in the county selling so-called legal highs not to fall foul of a new law which has now come into force nationally.

The new law brings in a blanket ban on the production, sale, import or export of psychoactive substances – often known as legal highs. The legislation will make new drugs that appear on the market illegal quicker than ever before. Convicted suppliers could face up to seven years in prison.

Police say they are visiting all known sellers of legal highs in Surrey to make them aware of the new legislation and the potentially lethal consequences to people taking the products they sell.

Vendors are being asked to surrender any remaining stocks they may have.

Inspector Dan Gutierrez said: “This new legislation is a very positive step forward. We will continue to work closely with partner organisations, including local authorities, education providers and the health service to tackle the harm and anti-social behaviour in the community caused by the sale and misuse of both legal and illegal drugs.”

Legal highs are substances that have similar effects to banned drugs, such as cocaine or cannabis.

They carry health risks, as they often contain ingredients which have never been used in drugs for human consumption before and contain new substances which are not yet controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Often the ingredients are also changed to overcome any bans and are often sold as plant food, incense, or salts.

To enforce the new law, police or local authorities can issue prohibition measures which require people to stop stocking, selling or supplying psychoactive substances.

Anybody who believes shops are still supplying psychoactive substances is urged to call 101, report online via the online reporting system at www.report.police.uk or by calling Crime- stoppers on 0800 555111, anonymously if you wish.