Uppingham Parish Council has carried out tests and found a white powder in a public toilet is crack cocaine. 

Clerk Adam Lowe brought up the issue in his regular clerk's report at the full council meeting on Wednesday 3rd September and said that people are using the baby changing area at the public convenience 'as an ashtray'. 

He said cleaners are regularly taking away empty cans and bottles from the toilet, which has become a hangout for drug users. The clerk, who is a former special constable, did the testing of the drugs himself using a kit purchased online.  

Councillor Liz Clarke said the toilets at recreation area Tod's Piece had been a long-term issue. 

She said: "We have had endless problems with that toilet over the years. Do we have a proposal?" 

Mr Lowe said he was maintaining a watch on the loos in case they became unsafe and had reported the drug use to the police. 

He said: "It will be interesting to see what the police will do with regards to the drugs." 

The parish council called the police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews to its annual meeting in the summer, and residents told him about a number of issues within the town, including suspected county lines activity. 

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However, compared to many areas, crime levels are low in Uppingham. Police data shows that 29 crimes were recorded in the area in June. 13 were violent and sexual offences and four were vehicle theft. 

At the meeting the issue of an abandoned caravan at Leicester Road was also discussed. Councillor Geoff Thompson said, the caravan, which does not have any working wheels was reported to police who do not have the powers to remove it and so it has been reported to the county council. One councillor said when he passed the caravan there were two people smoking inside and a smell of cannabis.