Police issue 'emergency warning' after reports of hallucinogenic cereal bars 'laced with cannabis' being sold to children

The Metropolitan Police are investigating reports that a fake cereal bar which causes extreme sickness and hallucinations is being targeted at children in London.

The investigation began after a child at St. Alban’s C of E Primary School in Holborn was allegedly offered the snack. Parents were sent a letter warning them about the snack on Tuesday.

‘We have been informed that there is a snack being marketed to young children,’ wrote Interim Headteacher Rebecca Harris. ‘The name of this snack is “Astrosnacks” and the product has been the cause of extremely violent bouts of sickness and severe hallucinations.’

A police source reported that the snack was thought to contain some sort of cannabis resin.

The school also circulated a picture of the snack’s packaging. The image shows a purple, black, green and silver packet with a picture of a cartoon alien on the front. It is labelled ‘Astrosnacks Cereal-Bar Treats’. A lurid yellow, green and orange-coloured bar can be seen through a clear window on the packaging.

‘There has been an emergency warning issued by the Metropolitan police who are currently investigating this issue. Please be very careful in the event that anyone tries to give this product to your child,’ Rebecca Harris warned.

Trading Standards issued a warning about the snack to headteachers in the area, saying: ‘They are being sold around Islington, Highgate and Archway but may move into other parts of London.’

Scotland Yard has issued a statement saying that it has been made aware of an incident involving a ‘possibly fake snack bar’. But the statement went on to say that ‘no crime report has been made and the allegation has not been substantiated’.

‘Police have not been able to speak directly to the parties who were apparently affected,’ it continued. However, ‘as a matter of routine, and to safeguard young people, police have passed this information to schools local to the incident’.

Worried parents have taken to Twitter to debate whether the reports are real or fake. ‘Just one photo and some hearsay,’ said one.

Have you heard any thing about this being sold to children near you? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know!