Nitrous oxide becomes a Class C drug
Nitrous oxide used to be controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 but it was reclassified as a Class C drug in 2023, making possession illegal.

This commons library briefing paper introduces a series on police powers.
Police powers: an introduction (725 KB , PDF)
The core duty of the police service is to protect the public by detecting and preventing crime. This duty is established in common law (precedents set by decisions of the courts) and the police have both common law and legislative powers to execute it.
The use of police powers must be compatible with human rights and equalities legislation. Police personnel are individually responsible for ensuring their use of their powers is lawful, proportionate and necessary.
Police powers can be grouped into three categories:
Police powers: an introduction (725 KB , PDF)
Nitrous oxide used to be controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 but it was reclassified as a Class C drug in 2023, making possession illegal.
There will be a debate on reducing serious violence and violence against women and girls, and raising confidence in policing and the criminal justice system on 15 November 2023.
This research briefing provides an overview of current legislation and guidance in relation to the policing of protests and discusses debates surrounding recent changes in this area.