There was a rise in the number of under 18s being treated for drug addiction across Cheshire West and Chester last year.

This follows dozens of 'county lines' operations being targeted and shut down by police.

A report to the council's health and wellbeing board provided a snapshot of efforts to combat drug addiction in both adults and young people across the borough, along with work being done by police to stem the supply of illegal substances.

The report said that last year there were 1,907 adults in drug treatment with drug and alcohol charity Via – a three per cent increase from the previous year.

There were 87 people aged under 18 in treatment, a 16 per cent increase on the year before.

In relation to drug crime, the report highlighted Operation Apollo - which shut down 68 county lines across the borough, with a total of 78 arrests being made during that same period.

County lines is a term for a type of child exploitation, where crime groups – often based in cities and other urban areas – use young people to transport and sell drugs in smaller towns and rural locations.

The report also detailed work on a dedicated 'harm reduction plan' for ketamine, due to a surge in the use of the drug both nationally and locally.

Last month a meeting of full council backed calls for urgent action on the drug, which can cause mental and physical harm - including memory loss, anxiety, depression and irreversible bladder damage.

A ketamine working group has now been set up, which brings organisations like the council, health, housing, community groups and the police together to address the issue.

The report also highlighted efforts to tackle Hepatitis C – which have led to its 'micro elemination'.

The term relates to when a certain percentage of people have been tested for the illness and have started treatment, with the borough achieving 100 per cent and 90 per cent respectively. 

People who inject drugs are the most at risk of the virus which infects the liver.

Among the services being undertaken by Via in Cheshire West and Chester are needle exchanges, counselling, training, detoxification and rehabilitation.