Vetch Fields blighted by drug needles
CHEERING fans used to flock to the Vetch Field to sing their hearts out and get behind the men in white.
After the big move out of the city centre to the Liberty Stadium, the former home of the Swansea City heroes was transformed into a space that can be enjoyed by the local community.
A community garden and children’s playground now fill what used to be the city’s field of dreams until it shut in 2005, later to be demolished.
But in recent weeks the area has been blighted by discarded needles.
Colin Joslyn, chair of the Sandfields Community Association, said the situation was currently “quite bad”, as drug-users were dumping their paraphernalia “wherever they want to”.
“The Vetch was converted to an open area with a children’s play area erected there,” Mr Joslyn said.
“Drug-users have been disposing their canisters and everything wherever they want to.
“The problem is that they’re dropping needles sometimes as soon as they’ve used them.
“The police have clamped down on them on occasions but as soon as they move somewhere else they’re back.
“There are four exits in the Vetch so there are four ways in and four ways out, and I think that’s the biggest problem as they can keep an eye out for anyone coming.
“People are concerned and we’ve reported it to the police on numerous occasions.”
Mr Joslyn explained that the children’s playground was towards the centre of the field, meaning parents and children visiting the Vetch were affected by the issue.
He added: “At one time it used to be regular times of the day that they would do it, but the police closed down on that,. They used to be there at 8.30am and 4pm.
“There’s not really any drug deals but when we do see it, we report it.
“It tends to be mothers and children in the playground that it affects and anyone passing through the centre comes into contact with it.”
Castle ward councillor Sybil Crouch said “an increased police presence” in the area was needed to try to put a stop to the issue.
She said: “It’s difficult to say what can be done to stop it, but what we do want to see is an increased police presence. It’s not locked or secured at night, so people can go in. The Vetch gardeners keep an eye on things and report anything that’s going on.
“Ty Dewi Sant will be moving to the Vetch and that will provide some additional oversight. If anti-social behaviour and criminal activity is happening, it can easily be reported. We need an increased police presence and we’re relying on local residents to report anything.”
Images of discarded needles, metal spoons, canisters and foil strewn across the grass have been shared on social media by South Wales Police to raise awareness of the situation, as officers confirm they are continuing to patrol the area.
A South Wales Police spokesman said: “City-centre officers have collected a number of needles and syringes from in the Vetch Fields area.
“Officers will continue to patrol the area to ensure public safety.”
Members of the public are being urged to report any discarded needles that they find to Swansea Council so they can safely be removed.
A Swansea Council spokesman said: “We would urge the public to contact the council immediately if they discover discarded needles on public land. This will ensure we can remove them safely and as quickly as possible.”