Warning to users of Goldwell Park in Newbury

Drug paraphernalia discovery by firefighters including needles

FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning to users of Goldwell Park in Newbury, after discovering a large amount of drug paraphernalia while fighting a fire in the park on bank holiday Monday.

One fire engine from Newbury Fire Station was called at 4.50pm to the park, off Northcroft Lane, where a tree was on fire.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze using special backpacks containing water.

Firefighters then remained at the scene until police arrived, to prevent members of the public entering the area, due to drug paraphernalia – including lots of needles – discovered at the scene.

“If anyone is in the park, particularly with children, or dogs, they need to be careful,” said a firefighter who was at the scene.

Firefighters left the park at 5.50pm.

The story on Newburytoday.co.uk prompted a flurry of comments on social media, which included concerns about what will happen in the future now that West Berkshire Council and Sovereign Housing Association have cut funding of the neighbourhood wardens, whose remit includes collecting litter from local parks.

Jackie Radbourne commented: “Normally the Neighbourhood Wardens would of cleared all the paraphernalia. But due to making them all redundant this will no longer be possible.

“Now they will see how much it is going to cost them to get contractors in to do their jobs at an extortionate rate to us tax payers.”

In response, West Berkshire Council spokesperson Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: “Although the wardens provide a valuable set of additional eyes and ears on the ground, they have never covered Goldwell Park as it was outside their remit,”

“However, the council’s contractor’s litter pick the park three times a week and are trained to remove items such as this.

“The council will always respond to reports from any members of the public and will remove any dangerous waste as a matter of urgency.”