Street Warden News

Hyperdermic needles recklessly discarded by drug users can pose a potentially lethal threat to children or anyone else unfortunate enough to come into contact with them.

The good news is that Great Yarmouth’s four-strong street warden force keeps an ever-vigilant eye out for such hazards and see that they are safely disposed of.

"Every day begins with an environmental patrol which might take in damage to street lamps, upturned bins, smashed bollards, fast food packaging, and illegal fly-tipping," says town centre manager Jonathan Newman.

"Quite frequently the wardens do come across needles discarded by drug users – they might be in the park, they might be in a sheltered space before one of the shops near the car park.

"The wardens carry around with them ‘sharps’ disposal box, and a pair of pincers that allows them to pick up the needle and put it in the box. That’s then forwarded to environmental health for them to dispose of.

"It goes without saying that the consequences of getting jabbed by one of these needles could be extremely serious. At the very least it would involve undergoing a series of blood tests to check that no infection had taken place.

"The wardens have done a great deal to reduce this problem, which tends to come and go in bursts. One week they might find a dozen needles, then it all goes quiet for a bit. They are in contact with the police, which means they are kept aware of where drug users are likely to be congregating, and can take action accordingly."