Anger after needles found near children's play area

Residents have been "angered" at the "ridiculous" discovery of needles linked to drug use, near a children's play area.

At least eight used syringes were found under a bridge near Clooney Road in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.

The police said they would "continue to use high visibility" patrols in the area and "arrest drug dealers involved in the sale and supply of drugs and put them before the courts".

Local resident JP McDaid said the discovery of the needles had "shocked and angered" people in the area.

"Primary school and secondary school children would use this underpass to get safely to their school buses everyday and to see in this area has really angered a lot of people," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"A total disregard for human safety is ridiculous.

"Hopefully, action will be taken to address this growing problem."

Local resident and parent Gareth Peoples said the needles pose a serious danger to small children in the area.

"As a parent of children in primary school and in high school, it is very concerning," resident Gareth Peoples said.

"Some of these children won't know what these things are and could actually pick them up thinking they are a toy.

"It's really concerning because you want to send your kids outside and let them play safely, but this isn't safe.

"To the people who are doing this, please be mindful of the children."

Michael and Veronica McLaughlin, who live in nearby Limavady, said the discovery of needles in an area widely used by members of the public is very concerning.

"This needs to be stamped out, and more work should be done to tackle it," Veronica McLaughlin said.

"It's not good when you see these drugs lying openly on the ground where anyone could pick them up," Michael McLaughlin said.

"Young children could come across these things, not know what they are, and pick them up."

Michael McLaughlin said drug use is an "ongoing problem" and that the issue appears to be getting worse in many areas, calling it a "sign of the times".

Sinn Féin councillor Dermot Nicholl said there could have been serious consequences if the needles had been picked up by a child.

"It doesn't bear thinking about, what could have come out of it," he said.

Nicholl said the people who had discarded the needles where they did need to "wise up, step up and stop whatever they're doing".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) say the needles have since been collected for disposal.

They advise anyone finding a syringe or needle not to touch it but contact police or their local council who will dispose of it safely.

"Officers would also remind those who use needles of the risks to others that they cause by discarding these items so wantonly," a spokesperson said.

"Such items can be dangerous, especially to younger children who may not be aware of what they have found."

The underpass is owned by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), which is responsible for its structural maintenance.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the DfI said: "We have been made aware of discarded needles in the area and understand these have been cleared by council as they present an environmental health risk.

"We will work with council should any further issues arise."