Used needles dumped in Morecambe alley where children play

Mum Amy Cochrane is concerned for her daughters safety after they found used needles behind their home. She is pictured with Bethany Cochrane, 10 and Gracie Cochrane, 5.

Concerned mum Amy Cochrane says her 10-year-old daughter Bethany found two used needles behind Belfield House, a drug and alcohol recovery centre, on Euston Road but luckily didn’t touch them.

Amy, of Primrose Street, Morecambe, said: “It’s really worrying, two other residents said they have found some. Thank goodness my daughter knew not to touch them but tell me.

“I called the city council and they came and removed them but it’s an alley where children play, it should be safe.

“I think the centre should be moved to an area that’s not residential.”

A spokesman for Change Grow Live who run the Inspire Drug and Alcohol Service said: ““CGL has been running a needle exchange service at the Inspire service in Morecambe since July 2013.

“We give people who inject drugs clean needles, manage the waste of used needles and offer people support to recover from drug problems and lead healthier lives.

“Needle exchanges can help to prevent used needles being discarded in public places where they can potentially cause risk to others.

“They also prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis C.

“Inspire is dedicated to ensuring service user and local community safety, by working closely with other agencies, professionals and people to promote our needle exchange service and look at other ways we can lower the risk of discarded needles in the area.

“Inspire continue to promote safe messages to service users in relation to safe disposal of equipment, and offer support and advice to anyone that might have a concern in relation to their, or someone else’s injecting.

“If further guidance is needed, Inspire can be contacted on 08458 941 745 or The Project Manager, Inspire Morecambe, 173 Euston Road, Morecambe, LA4 5LQ.”