SUSPECTED drugs have been found by a six-year-old girl on a street in Downpatrick.
The "bag of white powder" was discovered by the child in the Glebetown Drive area of the Co Down town yesterday.
SDLP councillor Colin McGrath has branded those responsible as "irresponsible and dangerous".
"The bag of white powder was discovered in a grassy area near to a local primary school and was found by a six-year-old girl," he said.
"The suspected drugs could have posed a serious danger to any child if consumed.
"The possible ramifications of this incident do not bear thinking about.
"Such an incident only highlights the dangers we have within our community and the need to remove the scourge of drugs from our area.
"The PSNI was informed of the find and removed the bag for forensic testing, but it is fairly obvious that it was a bag containing drugs.
"I would urge vigilance in the area and suggest anyone with information of drug dealing or consumption in the area to contact the PSNI immediately."
A PSNI spokeswoman said a "small bag of white powder was handed to police on Monday 14 March by a member of the public after a young girl found it in the Glebetown Drive area of Downpatrick".
"The contents of the bag will be disposed of by police."
PSNI chief inspector Barney O’Connor said: "While we cannot categorically state at this time that the bag contains drugs it is the uppermost concern for all of us.
"Tackling the use and supply of illegal drugs is a priority for us and the possibility that something so potentially dangerous has been discarded in an area that children frequent is deeply concerning."
