Police have promised a crackdown on dealers pushing drug-laced sweets that can put children in hospital.

So-called edibles, with high concentrates of synthetic THC found in cannabis, are being sold to youngsters through social media, dealers, and vape shops.

Richmond-Upon-Thames and Kingston Police have committed to crack down on this issue after four children fell ill from eating sweets containing THC in Surrey last month.

Richmond Police told Nub News: "Police in Richmond continue to work with partners, including local schools and Richmond Council, to raise awareness amongst children about the dangers of taking drugs, including edibles.

"This includes ongoing work through our dedicated Schools Officers who are assigned to schools throughout the borough.

"If you have any concerns about the sale or use of drugs in your area contact your neighbourhood team here, or contact your local schools officer through your child's school."

In a Facebook post Richmond Police explained further: "We know many will be concerned after a recent incident in Surrey where several children fell ill after consuming what they believed to be sweets containing cannabis.

"We wanted to explain what they are and why they might be harmful to children who take them.

"The sweet versions are widely available on the internet and via social media and the packaging is often bright and colourful. They can be easily mistaken for normal sweets.

"Despite the professional appearance, there is no quality control in place for these products as they remain illegal, and so the contents cannot be monitored for harmful substances.

"The amount of cannabis varies, but they often contain chemicals such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis and is the controlled substance.

"They can be dangerous to inexperienced drug takers who might be attracted by the packaging, as they take an amount of time to have a significant effect.

"Many more than necessary may be ingested before a user sees an effect."

The problem has also been highlighted by Richmond Borough Councillor Penelope Frost, Cabinet member for Children's Services and Schools.

Details were included in a joint statement from Councillor Frost, plus Achieving for Children, which delivers children's services, and MARVE (Multi-Agency Risk Vulnerability and Exploitation Panel).

MARVE focuses on supporting vulnerable children and young people at risk of exploitation within the borough.

The statement said: "We do receive referrals from the local hospitals and we have noticed some for younger-aged children who have eaten edibles; this was quickly discussed with the education service who issued guidance for parents, schools and young people.

"We have shared information with our whole service to ensure they are updated as to the potential risk to children from edibles and for them to explore this within their work with children and families.

"The Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership also have a page dedicated to resources for professionals, parents/carers which can be accessed HERE.

"County Lines is an ongoing concern amongst a small cohort of our young people and there is a strong multi-agency approach for information sharing, intense specialist interventions, and police enforcement where necessary.

"The Substance Misuse team is part of the multidisciplinary team supporting this work.

"The police have a specialist Adolescent Risk team that works in partnership with services and parents around children at risk of being exploited into County Lines and other drug dealing.

"They are aware of reports of young people using edibles and being hospitalised. Alongside the awareness and safety work police are also using proactive and reactive tactics to target these dealers."