December 31st, 2006[HealthNews]Discarded needles put the public in danger
Discarded needles put the public in danger
By Maria_Thompson
A PATCH of private land near Peterborough city centre is a danger to the public because junkies are dumping their used needles there.
The area next to St Mark’s Church, on Lincoln Road, is covered with used syringes.
Both the police and the city council have expressed concern, but say it is not their responsibility to clear the area.
St Mark’s Church, next to the land, was labled a hotspot for junkies last year, when council workers cleared more than 600 needles from the site in June.
When just three needles were found in the same area two months later, the council assumed the problem had been solved.
But police officers who patrol the area say the problem has not gone away, and may even be getting worse.
Pc Alan Calver said: “I have been working in the area for over a month and there has always been a problem there. What we do about it is to call the council.”
Peterborough City Council says it relys on members of the public and the police to let it know about discarded needles – but had not been informed about the area on Lincoln Road until The Evening Telegraph called.
Council spokesman Mike Lennox said: “There’s no need to discard needles in this way, members of the public could be infected if they put their hand on them or fall and prick their skin.
“It’s extremely dangerous and irresponsible.”
Peterborough City Council has put in a bid to the National Treatment Agency for money to fund six sharps bins, for discarding used needles, in the city centre .
There is also a possibility of sponsorship from a commercial company, but if none of these sources are successful the costs will be met by the city’s Community Safety Partnership – a collaboration including police, city council, probation service, fire service and voluntary organisations.
Each of the bins is estimated to cost more than a £1,000 each, plus installation, and will have to be installed in places where drug users can go without fear of being arrested.
A recommendation to go ahead with the needle disposal trial in Peterborough is expected to be submitted for approval by the end of January.
Last Updated: 28 December 2006
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