Northfleet mum outraged with council after seven-year-old daughter picks up dumped bag of hypodermic needles in Ranelagh Gardens

Kristi Wright, 28 of Wallis Park, claims she screamed at her daughter Elktra to drop a bag she found in Ranelagh Gardens on June 29 – her seventh birthday – after needles started falling out of it.

The bag of needles was found in Ranelagh Gardens

In spite of informing council employees about the discovery, the council has confirmed that Ms Wright’s report was never lodged and has issued an apology.

Speaking to News Shopper, the mum-of-four said: “I am disgusted, disappointed and ashamed of my town.

“I’m angry at the lack of consideration and common sense.

“No one is taking responsibility or thinking of the children’s safety along that road.

“Luckily nothing happened to her, but that’s not the point.

“There’s kids who walk alone.

"What if I hadn’t caught her in time?”

The council has apologised to Ms Wright since the incident

Ms Wright says that she had to tell Elktra, who has three sisters Willow, four, Elise, eight and nine-year-old Chanise, that the needles were for drugs.

The incident was reported to the council on the same day, Ms Wright claims, but no action was taken.

After waiting for two days for authorities to clean up the needles Ms Wright decided that the situation was far too hazardous for youngsters playing in the street.

The Northfleet mum screamed at her daugher after the contents of the bag started falling onto the floor

In the end the Northfleet mum took it upon herself to clear up some of the needles.

She said: “It’s been left to myself to dispose of some of the needles.

“Putting myself at risk because I couldn’t bare to hear someone say about their child picking them up.

“I hope this wakes people up, especially as I even went to the environmental officers and they explained they didn’t have the authority to touch or clean them up.

“They told me their job is to catch people who drop litter which is ridiculous.”

One of the needles found at the scene two days after it was reported to the council

A spokesman for Gravesham Council said: “Gravesham Council’s environment and community safety teams had no previous record of needles on this land.

“On investigation it appears that Ms Wright spoke to council contractors who failed to pass on the information.

“Our procedures, and that of our contractors, have been revised as a result and she has received an apology.

“The public should be assured that when we receive such reports a team is sent immediately to remove dangerous items.

“A manager has visited the site and cannot find evidence of a repetition but our community safety unit has informed the police so that attention can be paid to Ranelagh Gardens.

"Our grass-cutting crews always check for litter before mowing the grass but it is sometimes not possible to spot some litter in the uncut grass.”