A MOTHER found used syringes while cleaning up a park close to her WGC home.

The disturbing find was made on Tuesday morning last week by mum-of-one Kimberley Jones, from nearby Little Breaks.

The 29-year-old had taken it upon herself to clean up bags of dog mess that had been strewn across the park by vandals, when she discovered the syringes.

“I was going around with a big plastic bag and I saw a bag sitting in some bushes,” said Kimberley. “A lot of used syringes came out with blood in them.

“I would assume it’s drug paraphernalia.”

Kimberley said the park was already a troublespot for underage drinking and vandalism, but now had doubts about the safety of letting her daughter Ella out to play there.

“Lots of children from Sir Frederic Osborn School walk through here, as do families with small children and dog-walkers,” she said. “Anybody could have stumbled upon them.

“My daughter’s nine-years-old, and is getting to the age when I’m considering letting her go out of the house on her own, but not if she finds something like this in the local park.”

“I hope it doesn’t happen again.

A Welwyn Hatfield Council spokeswoman said the needles had been disposed of by waste contractor Serco. “If needles, syringes, or other drugs equipment, are found then these should be reported to the street wardens, who will either collect these themselves, or arrange for Serco to collect for safe disposal.

“It is important for the wardens to be informed as they work closely with the police to reduce the risks that illicit drug use causes to the rest of the neighbourhood.

“We advise that residents avoid touching items, such as needles, and if the items are particularly small, to describe as clearly as possible exactly where the items are.”

To contact the street wardens call 01707 357000.