Local shopkeeper, Neil Lucas, called Councillor Chris Bartrum about a needle in an alleyway known as ‘Butchers Alley’, Ross-on-Wye, on Saturday, 3rd November, after he was unable to get help from Herefordshire County Council and the police.

This is the second time that a needle has been found recently, and many local residents have contacted the Ross Gazette to express their concerns regarding needles left around the Town.

Neil told the Ross Gazette that he spotted the needle in the alleyway in the morning on his way to work. He said: “I rang Herefordshire Council but I got no response. I just kept getting put through to the automated service again and again. I rang the police on 101, and they told me that it wasn’t their problem.

“It’s terrible, little children walk up and down that alley all the time.”

Following his unsuccessful calls, Neil telephoned Councillor Bartrum who then used gardening gloves to pick up the needle and place it in a plastic container.

The needle appeared to have been used, and dried blood was visible on it.

Councillor Bartrum said: “This is a public matter because we need to find out who we are supposed to contact when things like this happen.”

He has taken the needle to the Hospital where it can disposed of safely.

A spokesperson for Balfour Beatty told the Ross Gazette that anybody who finds things like used needles in public areas should call Balfour Beatty on 261800. They will log the details and pass it on to the local street cleaning supervisor, who will remove and dispose of it.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.