TRACES of cocaine can be found in toilets throughout the city centre, the Echo can reveal.

Of the 26 loos in public buildings we tested, 14 were positive, including those at the NHS walk-in centre in Sidwell Street, at Exeter City Council's Civic Centre headquarters in Paris Street, and the city bus station.

Our investigation also found traces of the drug in toilets at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Wonford, and the public conveniences next to the Central Library.

Several toilets in High Street stores and other shops around the city also tested positive for cocaine in our survey.

Negative tests from public buildings came from the King William Street toilets, and those at Exeter Cathedral, Devon County Council, Exeter Crown Court and the Heavitree Road police station.

A spokesman for Exeter City Council said: “We carry out regular checks and cleaning of the toilets.

“If we find any drugs or paraphernalia we remove it and inform the police, but there is only so much you can do.

“We would ask people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the council or the police.”

Det Con Mike Bradley, a drugs intelligence officer for Devon and Cornwall police, said cocaine use had increased in the city over the last two years.

“There were 42 seizures of cocaine in Exeter in 2006/2007,” he said.

“That number rose to 60 in 2007/2008. This is mirrored throughout the force; Plymouth went from 170 to 275.”

He said that as nightclub and pub door staff switched on to spotting signs of cocaine use, people were moving elsewhere to take it, such as public toilets.

Det Con Bradley said users tended to be employed people or students with disposable income.

But for some the 'recreational' drug took hold of their life.

“The issue is people become psychologically addicted relatively quickly,” he said. “When people say it is a harmless drug they forget that what starts off as a bit of fun can take over their lives. If someone is buying two grammes for the weekend at £100 and doing that every weekend, that is £400 a month.

“From there people can get themselves into all sorts of trouble as they are spending their money on drugs and ignoring other things such as their bills, rent, mortgage, health, family and work.

“It is a Class A drug and you are committing an offence by its possession which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a fine.

“Possession with intent to supply carries a maximum sentence of life.”

Det Con Bradley said those who were concerned that their premises were being used to take drugs should contact the police.

He said: “We monitor intelligence and look at the supply of cocaine into the city and its use. We can also advise on things that can be done to stop people using the tops of toilets, such as putting WD40 on the surface.”

A spokesman for the Exeter, East and Mid Devon addictions team said: “Over the last year we have seen a steady increase in cocaine use among people already opiate users and this reflects a general trend we are seeing in people using more than one drug. Nationally, it is recognised that cocaine use is increasing.”