Shock over needles find at busy car park in town
A MUM and daughter were left shocked after discovering a huge array of drug paraphernalia in a busy Bridgend car park.
Louise, who didn’t want to reveal her surname, parked at the Rhiw multistorey car park with her daughter on Tuesday.
On returning to their car just after lunchtime, the pair was met with the sight of dozens of items including used needles, bloodied patches and foil cooking pots.
The pair also found dirty boxer shorts and even a pair of fake teeth.
“When we first got into the stairwell I could smell urine straight away, that’s when I noticed everything,” said Louise.
“There were quite a few needles, patches with blood on them, cooking pots and foil and a pair of boxer shorts covered in diarrhoea.
“When we were on our way up we noticed lots of cling film wraps in the lift but didn’t think anything of it. It was only when we saw all of the other things did we realise they were wraps.”
The 52-year-old said since living in Bridgend, this is only the second time she has come across excessive drug use.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this in town. Neither of us could believe it.
“I’ve always been an advocate for Bridgend and to be honest seeing it really upset me.
“Only once have I ever seen anyone clearly on drugs and that was Spice in the town centre. Never in a million years did I think I’d see all that in the car park.
Louise says she’s the use of such drugs in public makes her worried for people’s safety – especially children who don’t know what the items are.
“It made me think ‘What if children run ahead and pick something up’ – it’s so dangerous,” she said.
“I feel sad that people would do this in public. You see and hear of this happening but I never thought I’d see it in Bridgend.
“I’ve made my daughter to promise never to park there again, we were both in shock.
“I know I’m probably really naive I just didn’t expect to see anything like that – I’ve only ever seen drug use like that before on the telly.
A spokesperson from Bridgend County Borough Council said: “This was reported to the council and was promptly removed.”
Advice on the Bridgend County Borough Council’s website says: “Where needles are issued for medical conditions, a yellow sharps box is generally supplied for safe disposal and information given on a returns method.
“To ensure the safety of others during storage, always ask about keeping and returning needles when they are dispensed.
“Unfortunately needles and other drug paraphernalia are sometimes found on our streets, but the council will always help clear and dispose of such materials .”