Residents in Oldham are 'angry and upset' at having found a large number of nitrous oxide canisters abandoned in public places.

The canisters have been recently found in at least nine areas according to residents, including Tandle Hill Road, Bullcote Lane and Thornham Old Road.

A social media post in a Royton group by resident Wendy Rees gained attention after she raised awareness of a box full of the canisters, which she had found on Edge Lane Street on her way home from Royton Park.

She said that the box had not been there during her walk up to the park that afternoon (October 11) but was there upon her return a short while later.

She said: "These cylinders of nitrous oxide were very heavy and most of them appeared almost full, so it must have been someone in a car.

"Now these cylinders are both flammable and dangerous to health and I did not know what to do, but if someone had got hurt using these and I had not done anything then I would have never forgiven myself.

"So I dialled 999 and asked for police and fire - got through to the fire service and the lady was very nice as she could hear the panic in my voice - sent me a link for a photo of the cylinders and said she would liaise with the council."

Some of the cannisters Wendy found, though she says there was a full boxSome of the canisters Wendy found, though she says there was a full box (Image: Wendy Rees)

Wendy added that in the meantime, she moved the box away from the road and tried to put as many of the cylinders back into the box as could fit, as some had fallen out.

She said: "I am totally shocked at how someone could be so irresponsible, dangerous, uncaring and lazy.

"I am still in a state of shock about all this, also upset and angry."

The next day, a second post was made by a different person, who had found at least 19 canisters left at the end of Cecil Street.

In addition to this post, there were at least five comments across both posts naming separate areas in Oldham where people say they commonly find the cylinders.

Since November 8, 2023, nitrous oxide has been classified as a class C drug making possession and use of it illegal. 

Greater Manchester Police advised that if anyone finds canisters of nitrous oxide, they should phone 101 for officers to assess and assist. 

Cllr Chris Goodwin, Oldham Council Cabinet member for Don’t Trash Oldham, said: “One of the problems we have with the use and sale of nitrous oxide are online purchases, of which we have very little control.

“Nitrous oxide should not be inhaled because it can be harmful

“Our Don’t Trash Oldham teams pick up canisters from our roads, parks and open spaces every day.

“They are a real blight on the borough and clearing them up costs every council taxpayer.

“Residents can report the misuse of nitrous oxide to the police online or by calling 101.”