Needles are found in park
Outrage after shock discovery
A bag of used syringes have allegedly been found dumped in a Lanarkshire park.
Residents reacted in horror this week to the grim discovery which was apparently made at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse. The bag contained needles and dirty spoons.
The Stonehouse community reacted with horror after a bag of used syringes was apparently found dumped in the local park.
The grim discovery was made on Sunday morning, with a man allegedly finding the bag – which contained needles and dirty spoons – near the gym area at the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park.
Pictures of the bag and details of the find were posted on Facebook, and it is believed the syringes were subsequently handed to police.
It comes amid increasing complaints from locals about youths congregating in the park to drink.
Police were called to the area on Saturday evening following reports of youths drinking in the park, though this is not thought to be connected to the discarded syringes.
Inspector Derek Hamilton, of Hamilton police, said: “We received a number of calls regarding large numbers of youths drinking alcohol in the park early Saturday evening. One child was returned home apparently under the influence of alcohol, but no alcohol was recovered.
“We have liaised with local elected members and will be providing additional patrols in the area and also working with the local authority to address any issues.”
Christina Mckelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said: “It’s really regrettable to see the inspiring work completed by Friends of Stonehouse Park being undone by anti-social behaviour.
“The many activists, and I, who take pride in their local community are ready to do whatever is required to clean up the park.
“I would implore those who continue to disrespect their community to seek support and I will continue to work closely with Police Scotland to ensure that the public can use Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park both safely and securely.”
South Lanarkshire Council said they have received no reports of syringes being found in the park recently, but urged anyone who makes such a find to get in touch.
Alastair Mckinnon, head of Facilities, Waste and Grounds Services, said: “Grounds Services staff carry out litter-picking duties on a daily basis in Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park.
“There have been no incidents of syringes or needles reported recently by the public to our customer services centre, nor have our litter picking staff reported any finds of syringes or needles during their visits in recent weeks. However, we would encourage the public to report any incident of discarded syringes or needles to our customer services centre where it will immediately be logged and then responded to by our street cleansing staff.
“We will raise the issue of antisocial activity in the park at the next local Joint Problem Solving Forum to enable the council and its partners, including Police Scotland, to address any ongoing issues.”