A mother is horrified about drugs paraphernalia she found left in parks and open spaces in Luton where she takes her two-year-old son to play.
Vikki Hardy, 28, discovered litter including used needles, medical wrappers, candles and alcohol wipes, in the privately owned Bramingham Woods and Limbury Park within the space of a week.
With summer holidays starting and more children wanting to play outdoors, the Warden Hills mother wants to warn parents of the dangers.
Vikki said: “I was extremely upset to find that places I take my son Shaun to play have evidence of needle abuse. I’m not talking about seedy little areas of town, I’m talking about the green spaces we have where you expect your child to play safely. I wanted to teach my son about nature, instead I was getting him away from the needles and wrappers. It is scary and extremely sad to think that maybe as my son grows he’d be more safe sat at home playing computer games like so many children these days than going out to play with friends and being active in his local area.”
She added: “The fact I saw this in two completely different areas is frightening – where else could they be? I will definitely be looking out for it in the future.”
A Luton Borough Council spokesperson said: “As part of their daily duties, all parks employees clean up any waste material irresponsibly left behind by visitors. Anyone spotting drugs activity taking place should report it to the police.”
The council offers a “speedy clean-up response” to anyone reporting such material. Call 01582 456000 with an exact site.
Bramingham Woods is privately owned, so the council has alerted the owners.