Brazen drug dealers are using QR codes stuck on lampposts to try and sell cannabis near schools, universities and even police stations, it has emerged.<br /><br />Dozens of black and gold stickers advertising 'Get your delivery' have been put up around various streets in the cathedral city of Worcester.<br /><br />Each sticker features a QR code and has a picture of a cannabis leaf - but police have warned people not to scan them or click on any links. <br /><br />Identical stickers have been cropping up in London but drug dealers further afield are now adopting the same technique in a bid to peddle their product. <br /><br />The digital codes are usually used by retailers to direct customers to online stores using a smartphone camera to scan a black-and-white image which takes them to their page. <br /><br />However, savvy drug dealers are now using the technology to snare new customers with stickers placed on lampposts, bins, phone boxes and other street furniture.<br /><br />Labour councillor Robyn Norfolk, who represents St John's in the city, said: "It is shocking for them to go up near schools. <br /><br />"I have heard of QR codes being used to link to scams, but not drugs. <br /><br />"We have regular complaints about users smoking cannabis across the city. It is concerning."<br /><br />Worcester mum-of-two Faye Roberts, 37, said: "The audacity of it is frightening really.<br /><br />"I can't believe how openly they are advertising it, just like it's any regular product and even more concerning is them cropping up near schools and parks.<br /><br />"They are targeting our children and that shouldn't be allowed. They need to come down as soon as possible. <br /><br />"Police need to do something. Surely they can be traced via these websites or they were caught on CCTV putting them up." <br /><br />The QR codes in London reportedly take people to a glossy website featuring cannabis products with false claims of its products being legal.<br /><br />It also invites would-be customers to follow them on the encrypted chat app Telegram, which popular with criminals.<br /><br />West Mercia Police said the force advises people not to scan the QR code, even if someone is curious about what the code is. <br /><br />Worcester Safer Neighbourhood Inspector Tanya Beckett said: “We have been made aware of stickers being placed on street furniture and bins in some parts of Worcester promoting the sale of Cannabis.<br /><br />"West Mercia Police is dedicated to tackling drug supply in the community.<br /><br />“I would like to reassure the public that we are now investigating this issue and I advise that people don’t attempt to scan the attached QR code.<br /><br />“I would urge anyone who has any information about these stickers to contact us.”<br /><br />A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “We have reported this matter to the police who are investigating.<br /><br />"Members of our street scene team are now out and about removing the stickers.”
