Three people have died in Blackpool following the circulation of what police believe to be a contaminated batch of drugs, prompting an urgent public health warning from authorities.
The victims — two men and a woman — were discovered in separate locations across the seaside town over the weekend, sparking a major police investigation.
A 31-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and has been released on bail pending further enquiries, Lancashire Constabulary confirmed.
Police Warn Users to Seek Medical Help
Blackpool Police are now urging drug users in the area to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any unusual symptoms or begin to feel unwell after taking substances.
Detective Inspector Isobel Garratt issued a stark warning, saying:
“Our advice would be for users to seek immediate medical attention if they notice any different symptoms or start to feel unwell. There is no safe way of taking drugs, and no way of knowing exactly what you are putting into your body and whether it is safe.”
She added that Lancashire Constabulary continues to take a “proactive response” in tackling drug-related issues across the county.
Blackpool’s Ongoing Drug Crisis
Blackpool remains the UK’s worst-affected area for drug-related deaths, with 126 fatalities from drug poisoning between 2021 and 2023 — a rate of 31.9 deaths per 100,000 people, the highest in the country. Over three-quarters of those deaths were men.
The latest fatalities have sparked fresh concerns about the availability of dangerous substances on the streets and underline the deadly risks faced by users, especially when drugs are contaminated or mixed with unknown compounds.
Political Response
In the wake of the deaths, Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has reiterated his support for Labour’s new Crime and Policing Bill, which seeks to curb anti-social behaviour and reduce drug crime by expanding police powers to conduct drug tests upon arrest.
Webb praised local efforts to address crime in town centres, saying the proposed legislation would “strengthen the ability of law enforcement to tackle the root causes of drug misuse and improve community safety.”
Community Urged to Stay Vigilant
As investigations continue, police have not disclosed the specific substance involved in the suspected contamination. Forensic analysis is underway to determine what may have caused the fatalities.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information regarding drug supply to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
Anyone with concerns or information is asked to contact Lancashire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
