A councillor is warning people to be vigilant and report incidents to wardens and the police after a “used needle” was found on play equipment in Renfrew.
The horrifying find was made by parents in the wooden castle climbing frame at busy Robertson Park.
(Image: Newsquest)
News of the needle's discovery this month is believed to have been shared on social media where it sparked outrage.
Disgusted by what happened, Cllr John Gray has been working with the police and the council’s community safety wardens to make the location a safer place.
(Image: Newsquest)
Cllr Gray told the Glasgow Times: “I would hate to have on my conscience if I heard that something had happened to a kid who picked up a needle in the park and nobody had anything about it or even mentioned it.
“The first thing I did was contact the head warden and the warden services have agreed to do run throughs of the park as often as they can and be a bit more vigilant.
“I also spoke to the person who looks after all the CCTV and it is all working fine in the park.
“There are two cameras in the centre of the park and every evening these two cameras are going to get put onto the park.”
(Image: Newsquest)
The councillor has also had a conversation with community police officers who have also agreed on “to come through the park and be a bit more vigilant”.
While at the park last Friday (July 19) he was pleased to see officers at the play area checking equipment, which he believes is a “good sign” that proactive approach is being taken by police.
(Image: Newsquest)
“There’s not been any reporting of drug taking in the park and the couple who found the needle never reported it, but between May 18 and July 15, there’s been three incidents of fire raising (bin fires) in the park, there’s been two youth disorders and one serious assault,” added the councillor who represents Renfrew North and Braehead and uses the park two or three times a day to walk his dog.
“That’s only the stuff that’s been reported. It’s absolutely scandalous and all of this in a matter of a month is terrible.
"I just want to make people aware that if there's anything at all to report, they must phone the wardens or phone the police.
“That's what the police and the warden services have and it will be taken up straight away I've been assured.”
(Image: Newsquest)
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and have increased patrols in this area alongside our partners in Police Scotland in addition to use of CCTV within the park.
“Members of the public can report needles to the community wardens service using our website or by calling 0300 300 0380.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson added: “We are aware of issues in relation to anti-social behaviour in the Robertson Park area of Renfrew and the concern it causes local residents.
“Local patrols are ongoing in an effort to reduce incidents and work is ongoing with our partners to deter this type of behaviour.”
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