400 needles found at notorious drug-users spot

Only last year councillors exposed the hide-away on land off Coop Street, Scholes, where no fewer than 800 used hypodermic “sharps” had been dumped by addicts and a major clear-up was carried out.

But a fresh search of the wooded area this week has uncovered another 400 needles.

A meeting has since taken place on site with the three Labour councillors for the Wigan Central Ward - George Davies, Lawrence Hunt and Michael Mcloughlin - with local authority officials from the Safer Places team and waste services on what could be done next.

Coun Hunt said: “Much consideration was given to the question of how we can tackle this problem. It is only a matter of time before a member of the public sustains a piercing injury. We have got children playing around here and residents’ dogs are at risk too.

“The perpetrators use the wooded area for cover.

“As happened the last time, our council employees cleared much of the undergrowth surrounding the trees.

“But our suggestion now is the feasibility of eliminating the tree area altogether so that no-one can be seen either dealing the needles or fly-tipping.“

Coun Davies added: “We are also aware of similar problems on the former Whelley Loop Line on the footway near to Canon Sharples School and near the car park at St Catharine’s School, Ince.

“We will be working with our council colleagues from Aspull, New Springs and Ince council officials and the police for a solution to this stupid act but in the meantime we call on the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to the police.”

Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour in the area is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.