The corner of a town park, which has been branded a ‘crack den’, is being cleared up today to reduce anti-social behaviour ahead of the launch of a new youth club.
The tidy up of Upton Lane recreation area, which is the site of the relocated Monkmoor Youth Club and has a toddlers’ play area and BMX track, is being undertaken by a team from the Probation Service.
The action is being taken as a section of the park regularly has to be cleared of needles, foil and other drugs paraphernalia as well as fly-tipped furniture, according to borough councillor Tony Durnell.
It has become a problem, he said, because drug users can hide behind trees and bushes at the back of residents’ houses on Hinton Drive.
Councillor Durnell also wants to secure funds to maintain the BMX track and for more play equipment.
“Every week we are having to go and clear out a crack den which is behind bushes at Upton Lane. The other day there was a settee that had been dumped there and we found lots of silver foil, drinks bottles and a couple of syringes there. I’ve also removed bongs too,” he said.
“Upton Lane Youth Lodge is only 150 yards away and it’s really unpleasant for the residents on Hinton Drive who have to put up with anti-social behaviour.
“The idea is to pull out the old hedge and reduce the foliage so these people can’t hide and they can be seen by everyone.”
Dave Hopkins, headteacher of Belvidere Primary School, which backs on to the park, said: “We do, at times, have to remove broken glass and rubbish from the top of our playing field. If we have concerns about individuals in the park we keep the children further away from the railings between the park and school.”
Gary Farmer, Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council horticultural services manager, said: “We will be crown raising some established trees, cutting back long vegetation, strimming grass and removing any detritus and rubbish this month.
“The community can then get involved to do more of a clean-up as part of the launch of the new youth club.”
PC Di Langford, local policing officer for Monkmoor, said the matter had been reported and officers had removed any matter relating to drugs.
Local police are keeping an eye on the area and carrying out extra patrols where possible.
