Horror as seven-year-old boy given cannabis-infused sweets while out trick or treating as police launch investigation

Police have launched an investigation after a seven-year-old boy was given cannabis edibles while out trick or treating with his brother. 

The little boy was handed a packet of 'Cannaburst', which is believed to contain the Class B drug and looks similar to the fruit-flavoured sweets Starburst. 

Terri Turnbull said her older son called her and told her that her seven-year-old son James had been handed the packet while the pair were out trick or treating for Halloween. 

Ms Turnbull said: 'Trying to explain to a seven-year-old that they can't have the sweets isn't easy.

'It's really concerning. I don't know what the world's coming to. I want parents to be aware. Check your kids' sweets.'

Police have said they are investigating the incident. 

The family had been at the Stanley Halloween Festival in County Durham before the kids went 'the long way home' around the South Moor area to go trick-or-treating around 7.30pm as a group of five.

A warning on the packet, which appears to be from the US says: 'This package contains cannabis, a Schedule I controlled substance. Keep out of reach of children and animals.'

Cannabis is illegal to possess, grow, or deal with in the UK.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: 'We are investigating after edible cannabis sweets were allegedly given to a child who was trick-or-treating in Stanley.

'Officers are urging parents to be vigilant and check their children's sweets as a precaution.'