Uncapped needles found in Biggleswade car park ‘could’ve been picked up by anyone’

It is unclear whether this is evidence of drug abuse, or if it was dropped inadvertently on collection a nearby surgery. Picture: Simon from Biggleswade (Image: Archant)

The grey bag was split open and contained multiple uncapped syringe needles.

Close by was also a pair of plimsoll shoes, an empty beer bottle and a tied up plastic carrier bag.

When considering if the bag could have been accidentally dropped during waste collection at one of the nearby surgeries – as the car park is used by the NHS – Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group confirmed this is not the sort of bag that would be used for disposal of needles for any health care provider,

A Biggleswade man – who asked to be known as Simon – told the Comet: “I was a little bit surprised and shocked.

“It was a grey bag with all these needles around it.

“Then I realised I had actually seen something very similar on my route to the station without realising what it was.

“I’ve spotted something similar at the bottom of the alleyway between Dells Lane and the station a couple of weeks ago, where lots of people walk past daily.

“I also regularly see people in the alleyway smoking marijuana. I wouldn’t really mind if it wasn’t for all the litter.

“Where I found it was a little bit out of the way, but I was worried that kids might find it and pick it up.

“This has all been stuff I’ve only noticed in the last year or so. I’ve lived in Biggleswade for around 15 years, and I never noticed before. I’m convinced that more crime is happening in Biggleswade.

“My main concern is that kids could have picked them up.”

After reporting it to the police, Simon was told that he should speak to environmental health.

He was then unable to get in touch with them due to it being out of office hours, so then contacted his MP, Alistair Burt, who referred it back to the police.

Thanks to Simon’s perseverance and the police, the paraphernalia was removed and the area was cleaned up quickly.

Biggleswade deputy mayor Madeline Russell commented: “It is unfortunate that a bag of needles was found in a health centre car park.

“If it is evidence of drug taking, I hope the police will check the site regularly.”

If you see anything of a similar nature, contact environmental health or the police.