Concerned dog walkers in Edinburgh have issued a stark warning after finding dirty needles in a park.
The group of pals were in Lochend Park on Thursday, June 29 when they stumbled across a disused needle with brown residue inside hidden in the grass.
They immediately alerted the council and used a plastic bag to put the needle into the bin before warning a nearby family feeding the ducks at the pond.
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Speaking to Edinburgh Live the resident said: "It was just me and my friends and we went for a few laps around Lochend Park, there were five of us and two dogs.
"My partner pointed the needle out near the bench close to where our dog just walked, I grabbed two dog waste bags and picked the used needle up and I noticed it still had a brown substance inside.
"One of my friends pointed out that it was heroin, I bent the needle back using the ground and then tied the waste bag and put it in the bin which was closest.
"We all had a look around the area for more but didn't find any more, just a few pieces of glass."
They added: "Luckily none of us stood on it, however, there was a lady and her grandson feeding the ducks not even 6ft away and they didn't see it.
"We told her what we just found and to keep an eye on the grass and continued our walk.
"I posted it on the 'I love Leith' page today just to let people know. I didn't know there was a protocol to get rid of used needles hence why we just did it.
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A spokesperson for the City of Edinburgh Council confirmed that the information has been reported to the relevant team.
Advice on the council website reads: "If you find a discarded needle or syringe in a public place
- on the pavement or road
- on grassy areas
- parks
"Please email us to have it removed on waste@edinburgh.gov.uk
"We are unable to remove discarded needles or syringes from private land or from within someone's property."
