Teenage girl arrested over Altcar cadets drug probe

Cadets were taken to hospital after becoming unwell at training camp in Hightown

17 year-old arrested on suspicion of drug dealing after cadets taken to hospital

A teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of drug dealing after nine teenage cadets were taken to hospital at Altcar.

The nine cadets were taken to hospital after suspected drug use at the weekend.Reports emerged yesterday the teenagers had taken ecstasy but official tests have yet to be concluded.

The young trainees, believed to have been aged between 15 and 17, were found sick overnight on Saturday at Altcar Training Camp on Grange Road in Hightown .

Today police confirmed a 17-year-old girl from Moreton has been arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply, in relation to the incident.

An army spokesman has said they ‘clearly have to respond with attitude’ after the incident.

The teenagers are thought to have taken drugs, and were examined at two local hospitals after police were called to the camp.

The youngsters – a mix of girls and boys – have now been released, and no other cadets are believed to have been affected.

An army spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving Merseyside Army Cadets Course at Camp Altcar.

“Clearly, we have to respond with attitude to our cadets and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“ Merseyside Police are investigating and it would be be inappropriate to say anything else at this stage.”

Original story on 07.02.16:

Nine young cadets were taken to hospital after a suspected drug taking incident at Altcar training camp in Hightown.

A group of young trainees became unwell on Saturday night at Altcar Training Camp on Grange Road.

They are thought to have taken drugs, and were treated at two local hospitals after police were called to the camp.

The cadets have now been released from hospital. Police believe no other cadets were affected, but officers have advised any concerned parents to seek medical advice.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “Merseyside Police can confirm that they have commenced an investigation at Altcar Training Camp after a number of young cadets became unwell overnight (Saturday 6 February), following a suspected drug taking incident.

The exact circumstances cannot be confirmed at this time, however nine young people have been examined at two local hospitals and since released."

They went on to say: “At this time, it is believed that no other cadets have been affected. Parents of other children who attended the camp this weekend, and who have any concerns about the health of their children, should seek appropriate medical advice.”

Opened in 1860, in response to the threat of invasion by the French, Altcar Training Camp and Rifle Range occupies a remote and wild stretch of the Sefton coast and Major Green believes the site still has many more secrets to reveal.

Story and photo source: Southport Visiter by Tom Duffy