Hannah Aitken
14 Nov 2024 · Coroner Anna Loxton · Surrey
This report repeats 3 earlier warnings, and was raised again 2 times later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. unrestricted domestic purchase of [REDACTED]
“[REDACTED] can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions”
2. unrestricted import of [REDACTED]
“[REDACTED] can be purchased from abroad and imported to Great Britain with no restrictions”
3. inappropriate quantities and purity of [REDACTED]
“The quantities and purity in which [REDACTED] are sold do not appear to be those required for their legitimate use”
4. lack of regulation and monitoring of [REDACTED] use
“It does not appear there is any consideration of regulating/monitoring the use of [REDACTED] outside the limited provisions of the Poisons Act 1972”
5. limited reporting obligations for [REDACTED] under Poisons Act 1972
“[REDACTED] are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious”
6. rising use of [REDACTED] for self-harm
“The Court heard anecdotal evidence from three Emergency Medical Consultants and others witnesses that in their direct experience, the use of [REDACTED] for self-harm is increasing”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.80 · moderate
Earlier report
“(1) relatively small quantities of can easily be purchased (2) a. is currently a "reportable substance" or "reportable poison" under Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the Poisons Act 1972.”
This report
“[REDACTED] are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“The ability for UK users to purchase [REDACTED], through Amazon in the United States and to take delivery in the United Kingdom without effective border and/or custom controls.”
This report
“[REDACTED] can be purchased from abroad and imported to Great Britain with no restrictions;”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“The UK Border Force do not have the legal powers to seize a consignment of [REDACTED] because it is not a prohibited poison under the Poisons Act 1972.”
This report
“There are no restrictions on the import of [REDACTED] from abroad.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“[REDACTED] are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious.”
Later report
“Whilst there is a legal duty on persons selling this substance to report "suspicious" transactions within 24 hours to the Home Office, the purchase of small quantities is being presumed to be connected to the many legitimate uses of the substance”
Identical hazardConfidence 0.96 · high
This report
“[REDACTED] can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions;”
Later report
“[REDACTED] can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions;”
Responses
2024-0622-Response-from-DHSC.pdf ↗· Department of Health and Social Care
Stated action
“The group has worked with businesses, including online suppliers and manufacturers of the substance, to reduce people's ability to purchase it for non-legitimate purposes including suicide, and to raise awareness around safeguarding concerns with businesses where required.”
2024-0622-Response-from-the-Home-Office.pdf ↗· Home Office