Needles found by children's play area and football pitches
Needles and drug paraphernalia have been found dumped close to a children's play area and football pitch in Welshpool, sparking fears for youngsters' safety.
Estelle Bleivas, town councillor for Welshpool, has claimed the town is being blighted by a drugs problem – rather than it being restricted to one area.
She has spoken out after equipment including needles and spoons was discovered by Welshpool Town Council staff alongside the Scansis play area on the Oldford estate.
No-one from Dyfed-Powys Police was available to comment on the claims. Councillor Bleivas said: "Our workers were emptying the bins when they made the discovery, and it wasn't just two or three needles, there were about a dozen, some still in their plastic containers, and there were some spoons.
"What if a child had picked one of those needles up? It's worried us all sick, and I know that some parents won't let their children use the Scansis pitch now because they're terrified."
Following the discovery on April 6, the haul was displayed to councillors at a council services and property meeting before being handed to the police.
Councillor Bleivas said: "It isn't just going on in the estate. Drug use is a problem throughout Welshpool, and I just don't know what the answer is.
"We try and make people aware, there are educational programmes in schools but I think it stems from a wider problem."
Robert Robinson, clerk of Welshpool Town Council, said: "It's a frightening situation especially as the equipment was found so close to an area where children play, and some of the needles were about three inches long, they could easily puncture someone's skin.
"It wasn't very nice for our staff to find, and it goes to show the problems we are facing, which my council believes is linked to the anti-social behaviour trait we are dealing with. The police have been informed, and the needles have gone off to them now."
