A campaign to create a new law to punish people for supplying drugs to children is gathering momentum after gaining the support of the local Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

County Durham and Darlington PCC Joy Allen are backing the 'Leah's Law' campaign by Kerry Roberts, mum of 15-year-old Leah Heyes who died in 2019 after taking MDMA in a park in Northallerton.

Commissioner Allen met with Kerry along with Dorset PCC David Sidwick, where they stated their support for a separate law to heighten repercussions for those who provide drugs to children under the age of 16.

Read more: Mum of teenager who died from MDMA has urgent message for every parent

Following Leah's tragic death two teenagers were sentenced to spend time at young offenders' institutions for supplying her with the drug.

Kerry has previously launched the 'NotMyChild' campaign to urge parents and carers to have vital conversations with children to give them the information needed to stop them coming to harm.

Campaigners for Leah's Law saw the issue debated in Parliament last year after securing more than 10,000 signatures on an official petition, however, the Government has so far resisted calls to introduce any new legislation.

Commissioners Allen and Sidwick have now written to Thirsk & Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake to offer their full support to his efforts and have offered to meet the MP to discuss how they can assist his work in future.

Read more: Leah Heyes: Northallerton mum's drug law campaign goes to Parliament

Commissioner Allen said: “This is a deeply tragic case which has impacted thousands of people across the country, many of them parents who are worried for the safety of their own children. I commend Kerry’s courage in pushing forward these reforms to safeguard the lives of other teenagers in future. 

“Urgent action is needed to protect young people and prevent further unnecessary deaths on our streets. Drugs are a scourge across society, and we must not allow the despicable criminals to take more innocent victims away from their families.

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“For this reason, we offer our full support to the introduction of Leah’s Law and look forward to working with Mr Hollinrake to raise the case for this important reform. We need to do everything we can to address the selling of gateway drugs to children.

"The perpetrators of these crimes must be made to understand that there are severe and life-changing consequences to their activities to deter further crimes and stop other families from suffering.”