Rising tide of discarded needles

A needle removal squad is touring the city

More and more used drug needles are being dumped on waste ground in Leeds.

The council says between April and September it collected and disposed of 61,000 needles and syringes - twice as many as in the same period in 2002.

A special needle removal squad is touring the patches of waste ground in the city where addicts throw their used needles, presenting a health hazard to anyone nearby.

This week they have been in action in Armley, Bramley and Kirkstall as well as at Sheepscar.

Special bins

Councillor Gerry Harper said addicts are issued with special bins to enable them to dispose of needles in a safe manner.

But getting them to use the bins is very difficult.

"Sometimes because of the drugs they are on they aren't thinking straight," he said.

"People of Leeds are sick and tired of drug addicts discarding needles in public places."