An urban myth?

If they are not launching themselves at you in drug-fuelled desperation, their bloodshot eyes are searching for their next fix, pink paws scrabbling in the ground.

The idea of squirrels finding hidden stashes of crack made me laugh aloud when I read this earlier this week. Living in comfortable, middle class England - it was the type story that some of my neighbours would react to by wanting to round up all the squirrels, hold them without trial, and deport them back to their country of origin, regardless of their individual circumstances. I will look more tolerantly at the squirrels digging holes in my lawn over the next few months - and offer them refuge from the accusations of being high on crack...