“You can get drugs in Harrogate during your school lunch break.”

“We have had letters sent home from school to say the children are having a drug awareness talk.”

"We've warned our own children from a young age about the dangers of drugs."

These are just some of the comments from parents who have spoken to The Stray Ferret about their children's experience of drugs and what goes on during a typical school day in Harrogate.

Families who have moved to one of the 'safest towns in Britain' for a better life, have revealed a real fear that their children could be exposed to drugs at a pre-adolescent age.

Our special focus follows the high-profile county lines drug raids, which police carried out in an unprecedented move to smash drug dealing.

The parents, whose children go to Harrogate's state schools and asked to remain anonymous, have told how they fear the upmarket and traditionally wealthy town of Harrogate may be being deliberately targeted, as children and teenagers living here often have a higher disposable income, than in other areas.

One mother said a 16-year-old boy had told her how pupils can seek out drugs during the school lunch break, if they chose to do so:

The parents have also said that the impact and fear of drug culture had hit home only recently, after recent police raids.

Harrogate is officially one of the safest towns in Britain, with North Yorkshire named as the county with the lowest crime rate in England and Wales, despite covering the fifth largest geographical policing area.

Yet undeterred by this, drug dealers from outside the area are using vulnerable young people to deliver drugs across our town and surrounding areas.

Here is what some Harrogate parents had to say:

“It is vital to educate your children at home about the dangers”

One Harrogate couple, who run their own business, say they are unsurprised by the recent police raids, but say it is vital that parents educate their children from quite a young age about the dangers of drugs, to encourage them to make the right choices.

The father-of-two, who had received the letter about drug awareness session, said: “There has always been drugs available in Harrogate, like anywhere, despite it being a wealthy and upmarket town, so recent events do not come as a surprise.

“Drugs are there for those who seek them out, but they are now more widely available and easier than ever to get hold of.

“We are not concerned about our teenage son. We have educated him at home about drugs and choices and feel confident he can make the right decisions for himself.”

 

“We’ve been to drug awareness seminars at school”

Another mother, in her 40s, who lives just a five minute walk from The Stray in Harrogate, said: “Our son is only 12, but already there has been mention of drugs. We have been to drug awareness seminars for parents at school and I am glad to see that all the schools in Harrogate seem to be “on it”. I think they have to be.

“We have lived here for 20 years. We love living here and feel very privileged to have such a lovely life in a good area. It is a great place to live and work.

The working mother added: “Our son is only young and in year 8, he’s not even a teenager yet, but we are definitely aware of things happening and want him to be aware and vigilant too.”

What is being done to educate our children?