A 23-year-old woman has died after falling ill from eating what she believed to be cannabis sweets.

The Metropolitan Police says emergency services were called to an address in Ilford on March 29 after the woman and her 21-year-old friend became unwell.

The 23-year-old woman, whose identity is not being disclosed at this time, died in hospital on April 2.

Police say she had bought what she thought to cannabis sweets - also known as gummies - via a messaging app on her phone. The Met says the batch of sweets were delivered to her home and contained packaging featuring ‘Trrlli Peachie O’s’ branding.

The Met believes the 'sweets' were actually an illegal substance and said drug dealers are "risking the safety of individuals".

The 21-year-old who also fell ill has been discharged from hospital. The Met says it is aware of at least one other case where a woman in Tower Hamlets fell ill after eating a 'cannabis sweet'.

Urgent enquiries are under way to establish the full circumstances and to identify any other cases where people have become seriously unwell after eating cannabis sweets, gummies and similar products, the Met added.

Officers have recovered a number of sweets and tests are being carried out.

Police have confirmed that a man was arrested on April 1. He has since been charged with possession with intent to supply Class B synthetic cannabinoid, being concerned in the supply of a synthetic cannabinoid, and possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell of the Met’s East Area BCU said: "I must warn the public against taking any illegal substances, including those packaged in the form of cannabis sweets. Please do not buy or consume these products. They are illegal and, because of the child-friendly packaging, they can pose a risk of accidental consumption.

"Anyone with information about people selling illegal products such as these is asked to speak with local officers, call police on 101 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers."

Officers have warned the public about the dangers of taking illegal substances in the form of cannabis sweets and similar products following the death of a 23-year-old woman from Ilford.