Dozens of discarded needles have been found along a footpath just yards from a city primary school and playing fields.

The alarm was raised by a dad walking along Bird Cage Walk, which passes by St Stephen’s Junior and Infants School in Canterbury.

Simon Bundock photographed one needle and posted the picture on the Canterbury Residents Group Facebook page.

This led to council contractors visiting the site and the full scale of the danger being revealed.

Head teacher of St Stephen’s Junior School Stuart Pywell told the Gazette the discovery was very worrying.

He said: “We have reported this sort of thing to the police before but 30 needles is quite alarming. Our forest school is nearby and we don’t want that sort of material ending up there.

“We will be sending out a warning to parents that this is something they need to be aware of, particularly if their children are playing out.”

Mr Bundock’s Facebook post sparked horror and disgust among parents.

"Our forest school is nearby and we don’t want that sort of material ending up there..." Stuart Pywell, St Stephen's head teacher

Among them was Trudy Hewitt, who wrote: “My husband walked the dog down there this morning and saw this - absolutely disgusting. Thank God kids are on half-term as they all use the alley for the primary and secondary schools.”

Chloe Shimmin said she had previously seen a group of youngsters ‘jacking up’ in the bushes.

She added: “Tell your kids not to go in the bushes - the parts on Hales Place that slope down. God knows how many needles are in there. Disgusting!”

Dave Denny wrote: “I’m forever picking them up in the St Mildred’s churchyard, along with cleaning up human faeces and torn cans. With public toilets very close with facilities for users I honestly have lost any sympathy I had.”

Mike Blamires added: “This is dreadful and, of course dangerous. Like many other cities, I think Canterbury needs a place where homeless addicts can inject without endangering others and access any social support they need to deal with their addiction.”

The discovery was reported to the city council who promptly sent contractors to the site to clean it up.

City council spokesman Leo Whitlock said: “After being notified, our contractor Serco removed around 30 needles from the Bird Cage Walk area of St Stephen’s on Wednesday, April 10.

“If a member of the pubic comes across a discarded needle or syringe between 8.30am and 6pm, contact Serco on 0800 0319091.

“Outside of those hours, call the council’s control room on 01227 781879.”

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