Laughing gas drug debris left around Taverham memorial bench

Paulette Solomon lives in Drayton and had the bench placed in Windsor Chase in Taverham, off Fakenham Road, to commemorate her late parents Pauline and Geoffrey Collingsworth.

However, fears have been raised after a number of nitrous oxide canisters and balloons were found by the bench.

The memorial bench is located in Windsor Chase, off of Fakenham Road in Taverham (Image: Paulette Solomon)

Nitrous oxide is also known as 'laughing gas' and is a colourless non-flammable gas.

It is used as a propellant, with a variety of uses from rocketry to making whipped cream but can be used as a recreational drug.

Paulette, 64, said: "My parents had a bungalow nearby in Fakenham Road, where they lived almost their entire life.

"They were well-known in the community so when mum died nine years ago and dad died in 2021, I thought it would be nice to have something to commemorate them and the bench there has a nice view of the little springwood opposite.

Paulette Solomon, who lives in Drayton, spent £1,000 to have the memorial bench built (Image: Paulette Solomon)

"But it's really sad to know people are not only doing drugs there but just leaving the debris behind.

"It's very disrespectful."

Paulette initially went to Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou, chairwoman of Taverham Parish Council, to help get the bench built around six months ago.

Caroline added: "There's been litter around that spot before but this is the first time canisters have been left.

Nitrous oxide cannisters, also known as 'laughing gas' were found littered around the bench by a passer-by in Taverham (Image: Alison Wilkin)

"It's a commemorative bench for Paulette's parents and should be a nice place for people to sit down and rest.

"I contacted the police as the station is around 100 yards down the road and they said they'll do some more patrols."

Paulette worries that if something isn't done that people will be put off using the bench altogether adding: "It's not very nice to sit down being surrounded by any kind of litter but especially used substance paraphernalia.

Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou, chairwoman of Taverham Parish Council (Image: Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou)

"My parents loved living in the area so it's sad there’s no respect there.

"The bench wasn’t intended to be a spot for people to use any drugs – it’s there for people to relax and watch the world go by.

"Hopefully now the police are aware it'll get stamped out before it gets worse."