ANXIOUS residents say used syringes and needles being discarded in a park are putting children’s lives in danger.

People are concerned youngsters playing in Gloucester Park, Basildon, will injure or prick themselves on the drug paraphernalia.

They want better park maintenance and increased police patrols to crack down on the problem.

Mark Boyden, whose house in Roodegate backs on to the problem area of the park, described the dangerous litter as “disgusting” and said he has reported it to Basildon Council on numerous occasions since he moved in four years ago.

The 45-year-old wants to see preventative action taken after syringes were left poking out of the ground last week.

He said: “Drug-related items are regularly left in total view of the public and in an area popular with children, so someone’s going to hurt themselves.

“The council does a good job of clearing the rubbish up after it’s reported, but then it just comes back again.

“A lot has been invested in the area of the park where the Sporting Village is, but our area’s been neglected.”

Basildon Council said it regularly cleared known problem areas of the park.

Parks and grounds maintenance manager Hugh Reynolds said: “There is a parks attendant working on a daily basis at Gloucester Park, who patrols and maintains the park grounds, which includes litter picking and cleansing.

“We also use a variety of different ways to ensure all of our parks are pleasant and safe for residents, including patrols and regular cleansing of known problems areas.”

Essex Police say they will increase patrols in the park after the problem came to light. Supt Ivor Harvey said: “Police are aware of this issue and will work closely with local residents and partner agencies to improve the situation.

“We will mount extra patrols in the area and discuss other possible measures.”

He appealed for anyone with information on drug-related behaviour in the park to report it to police on 0300 3334444 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.