OFFICERS from East Ayrshire Trading Standards joined colleagues from 18 other local authorities to combat the scourge of new psychoactive substances (NPS).

They launched an enforcement exercise, Operation Alexander, to curb their sale after evidence showed that they could cause serious harm to users.

The campaign was endorsed and funded by the Scottish government and jointly co-ordinated by the Society of Chief Officers for Trading Standards in Scotland.

Fiona Richardson of Trading Standards, said: “Our work on the Scottish government’s expert legal review led to a Trading Standards toolkit that formed the blueprint for taking action.

“With Scottish government grant funding for Operation Alexander we were then able to co-ordinate sampling and toxicology reports for local authority Trading Standards services.

“The acute reduction in number of those harmed by NPS in early 2016 is a fantastic result and a ringing endorsement of co-ordinated joint working between Trading Standards services with Scottish government support.”

Both North and South Ayrshire Councils also took part in the operation, which visited 53 premises.

It led to the seizure of 7,323 products worth £146,460.

Aileen Campbell, minister for public health and sport, added: “It’s encouraging that there are early signs of a reduction in the number of NPS calls to the Scottish Families Against Drugs helpline.

“Of course We are not complacent and We will continue to work with all of our partners to reduce the availability of these potentially deadly substances and to raise awareness of their dangers.”