The Mayor of Tidworth has spoken out about a “shocking incident” on Saturday night where a girl was allegedly found “unconscious and foaming at the mouth” after taking a pill.

Posts on social media have said that a 15-year-old was found being dragged along on Station Road on October 10 after taking a pill nicknamed ‘Pingers’, which it is claimed “were supplied to a friend of hers.”

They added the girl was then taken to hospital, where she is said to be “doing well.”

Cllr Mark Connolly told the Advertiser that the incident “could have ended up being a tragedy if the police hadn’t happened to come along at that particular moment.”

He said: “Drug use is a problem all over the country, but certainly this incident has highlighted the issue rather more than it has been recently. I’ve asked the police to have a meeting with agencies to see how we can combat this and anti-social behaviour, which is also on the rise locally, so that we can try and work together to reduce incidents of both.”

The mayor has been in touch with the girl’s family to check in, and to wish her “a speedy recovery.”

He added: “The actions of the young lady's "friends" involved in the incident are reprehensible and they should be ashamed of themselves.”

The issue of drugs in Tidworth was recognised by police last year, when officers put “extra priority patrols” and “plain clothes” officers in place to combat drug dealing in the town.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We were called to assist our colleagues from Hampshire Police with a medical incident at Station Road, Tidworth, on Saturday, October 10, at approximately 9.45pm.

“A 15-year-old girl, who was believed to have taken an illegal substance, was taken to Salisbury District Hospital as a precaution and later discharged.

“We are carrying out enquiries to understand the circumstances of what happened and identify what the girl may have taken and who supplied it to her.

“At this stage, no arrests have been made but we would appeal for anyone with information to call us on 101, quoting crime reference number 54200102200. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”