Commissioner issues ‘heartfelt condolences’ to family of teen who died at weekend

Police deployed as part of Operation Scorpion on Friday

The 16-year-old died after being taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital by ambulance from Exeter’s Move nightclub at 12.30am on Saturday.

It is thought she was among teenagers who took tablets containing unknown substances. Police would like to hear from anyone who may also have been affected.

A 16-year-old boy from the Exmouth area was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug and has been released on police bail to return in March.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, was in Plymouth on Friday drawing attention to the dangers of recreational drugs as part of Operation Scorpion.

She said: “My heartfelt condolences go to the family of this girl, whose life has been cut so tragically short. It is hard to imagine what they must be going through.

“It is too early to say precisely what happened on this occasion but we know recreational drugs cause too much harm. Incidents such as this remind us of the devastating impact they can have on individuals, families and the wider community. Our residents want drugs out of Devon and Cornwall, that is why reducing drugs harm is one of my Police and Crime Plan priorities.

“On a weekend where Devon and Cornwall Police’s focus has been on recreational drugs this tragedy reminds us that there is so much we need to do to educate our young people, who may feel pressured to take drugs.”

Anyone with information that could help with enquiries is asked to contact police via their website or by calling 101. Information can be passed anonymously to CrimeStoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.