Council's strange advice

I rang City Direct and reported the find but they told me they would only be able to remove the needle that was on the public right of way and not the needle on

my property, as that was my responsibility. The needles were

a stone's throw from each other.

I was also told that I should put the needle in my domestic waste (black) bin whereas the needle on the public right of way was removed by a specialist with a small sharps bin (I know, I watched only half-an-hour after I made the phone call).

There are specialists employed by the council because these needles could have been used for injecting illegal drugs and could be swarming with disease, and that is obviously a danger to everybody, especially the small child I have living with me.

I was advised by one of the council's customer advisers to call the Drug Action Team and they told me that even though the second needle was on my property it was still the council's responsibility to remove it safely.

I called City Direct back and they dismissed what I had been told. I then asked what I paid my council tax for and was told "this service is not paid for out of council tax payments".

I did remove the hypodermic needle (with the help of a shovel) and disposed of it in my black bin as advised. I know this is against my moral judgment but it was advised by my city council.

Donna M Butler, Alleston Road, Bushbury.

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