OUR GRAVEYARD IS A HEALTH HAZARD

Used drugs needles, condoms and other debris have turned a city
churchyard into a health hazard.

Concern about the state of the graveyard at St Mark's Church is
growing and environmental health officers have been called out three
times in less than two weeks to clear it up.

On just one visit, officers cleared up six needles and other drug
paraphernalia from the churchyard between Hall Road and City Road.

The Evening News was alerted to the danger after concerned ward
councillor Keith Driver contacted us to alert the public as part of
our Reclaim Our Communities campaign.

He said: "I totally support the Evening News campaign. Anything we
can do to stamp all this out is welcome.

"The problem was first reported by a woman with grandchildren who
were visiting their grandfather's grave last week.

"Someone from the church showed me where they were and I reported it
to environmental health. They cleared it up within hours.

"One Friday it was reported to me again and again on Monday.
Environmental health has been out each time within a couple of hours
but the needles keep coming back. It is very dangerous and children
and visitors are at risk."

Although the church locks its gates at night, it is in the middle of
the city's red light district and is a magnet for prostitutes and drug users.

Steve Sandell has run the Lakenham Lions youth club, based at St
Marks, for the past 15 years.

He said: "We are of course all very concerned about it, especially
me because I run the youth club. The club has been closed for a few
weeks but when it re-opens it is the sort of problem we do not want to have.

"The reason we locked the gates every night is we knew there were
people dealing in there, we had informed the police. But we were not
aware that people were using drugs and there were needles in the churchyard."

A spokeswoman for the city council said: "The environmental health
team has been called out to the location three times in two weeks.
One time six sharps and other drug paraphernalia were collected.

"Our advice is if you see needles of other items containing bodily
fluids then do not touch them, call us straight away on 01603
212212. Out of hours call 01603 412180. We aim to be there and
collecting them within an hour."