LYMM High School has responded after a politician claimed it – along with other schools – has seen an increase in drugs use at the site.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 PM programme last week, Tory Warrington South parliamentary candidate Andy Carter spoke about the party’s efforts to tackle ‘county lines’ gangs and highlighted the importance of bringing in extra police officers.

Mr Carter, from Lymm, added: “We are midway between Manchester and Liverpool and this is the sort of area where the county lines issues are really, really prevalent.

“In the village where I live, recently we have seen significant increases in use in drugs in the high schools and because we are very close to Manchester we know that there are gangs that are coming into the village and causing problems and attacking shop staff.”

Mr Carter has confirmed he believes it is an issue for a number of high schools in the town including, but not solely, Lymm High School.

But the comments have sparked a response from its head teacher Gwyn Williams.

He says: “We have not seen any noticeable increase in incidents involving drugs in school itself – this remains extremely rare and students are fully aware of the likely consequences should they be caught with drugs in school.

“Moreover, the information we receive from the relevant external agencies underlines the fact that any problems in Lymm are significantly less than they are in most areas of the country.

“Nevertheless, we are certainly concerned that young people appear to have easier access to drugs outside of school than ever before and that more of them are taking advantage of these opportunities to experiment with illegal substances in the evenings and at weekends.

“As a school, we have chosen – bravely, some might say – to be very open about this issue.

“We are working hard to provide appropriate, up to date information and guidance to students and parents about the changing patterns of behaviour in society and the associated dangers.

“One of the key messages to parents is that they should not be frightened of opening up an honest dialogue with their children about substance misuse from an early age and should seek support if they are at all worried.”

Mr Carter has issued a statement to further outline his stance on the issues he raised.

He highlighted the importance of having a ‘joined up effort’ to protect children, including the police, schools, councils and families.

However, he believes the use of drugs has become more prevalent in wider society and called for focus to be placed on education at an early age, partly by showing the ‘many dangers’ of addiction.

Mr Carter also hailed the work of Cheshire Police over county lines.

He added: “Taking out criminals who prey on youngsters to distribute drugs has to be a priority, these are organised gangs who are quite happy to prey on children in any part of Warrington with the aim of making fast money.”

Tory borough councillor Kath Buckley, a school governor, said Mr Carter’s comments on the BBC Radio 4 PM programme were intended to reflect a ‘growing situation of concern’, particularly around county lines and the need to increase the number of police officers on the streets.

Cllr Ryan Bate, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, has also commented following Mr Carter’s comments on the radio.

He said: “An increase in crime is because of Tory cuts to the police which have left people feeling less safe.

“It is hypocritical of the Conservatives to take a stance of being tough on crime.”