Alarm over Oakengates drug needle finds

A cleaner working in a public toilet in a Shropshire town has found 35 drug needles on the floor of the site in just four weeks, it was claimed today.

Councillor Steve Wood, the mayor of Oakengates, said he was "horrified" to learn of the figures after the cleaner called him to complain about the mess.

Christine Orford, a business owner and chairman of the town's chamber of commerce, said traders had also found needles at their shop fronts when they open in the morning.

Councillor Wood said the public toilets, opposite Oakengates Bus Station, were becoming a den for drug users was turning into a "no go area".

"People have been approached by drug dealers and the criminals know they can do what they want," he said.

"The cleaner has recorded finding 35 needles in the last three to four weeks and I was horrified when I found out, it's disgusting.

"The cleaner is very good and proactive and calls me about anything going on there but now it's turning into a no go area.

"He has also told me he has seen people smoking drugs in the toilet."

Mrs Orford, owner of Christine's Florist on Market Street, said the cleaner was not the only person to have found evidence of drug use.

"I open my shop in the morning and there's packets of drugs on the floor with tablets - it is out of hand," she said.

"I have also had muggings at knife point at the back of my shop, we have had break-ins and damage to property and they have tried to break into my shop twice.

"I think it all comes back to the drugs and something needs to be done fast."

Councillor Wood added: "For a long time now I have said we need better CCTV and lighting in Oakengates, particularly at the back of the shops on Market Street."

Chris Ammonds, spokesman for Telford police, said: "We have looked back at the last five weeks and we do not appear to have received any recorded calls about needles being found in the toilets in Oakengates.

"If there are concerns about this we would suggest that these people call us so we can deal with it.

"Our local policing teams work very hard in Oakengates, but they can only look into problems that are brought to their attention."

Anyone with information can call police in Oakengates on 0300 3333000.

By Jason Lavan