FENCING is to be erected at an empty building in Dunfermline after more than 50 discarded syringes were found there.

Fife Council officers removed the used needles, left behind by drug addicts, from the area next to the former local office on Walmer Drive.

Fiona Alder, safer communities team manager, said: “Our officers have also been in touch with Police Scotland to make them aware of the situation.

“A full clean-up of the area has been arranged and once complete, fencing will be put up to stop people gathering at this spot.”

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said she was disturbed to hear about the problem and reminded parents to keep their youngsters away from needles.

She said: “I am deeply concerned that a large quantity of needles have been found, and it’s right that the police have become involved.

"This seems to thankfully be an isolated incident, however, I would encourage parents in particular to be extra vigilant, and to ensure that their children know not to touch needles. If you do find needles on Walmer Drive, or indeed in another part of town, please alert the police to the location right away.”

Police Scotland are working with the council to tackle the issue and reminded the public to call local authorities if they come across any needles.

A spokeswoman said: “Police in Dunfermline are aware that discarded syringe needles have been discovered in the Walmer Drive area of the town.

“This is a dangerous practice and we are working with the local authority to find ways to put a stop to it. We would urge anyone who comes across a discarded needle to avoid touching it and contact Fife Council’s Contact Centre on 03452 555 555.”

The incident in Dunfermline follows on from a warning that drug-related litter, including needles and syringes, discarded in public parks, playing fields, public toilets, footpaths and car parks, place people in the community at risk of needlestick injuries which could transfer infectious diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

Liz McCulloch, the author of the Back Yard report for thinktank Volteface, said that giving addicts facilities to take drugs – so-called 'shooting galleries' – would help remove those risks.

She said: “Robust evidence demonstrates drug consumption rooms are effective in reducing street injecting, the number of syringes discarded in a vicinity, drug-related deaths and needle sharing.

"They also increase uptake in drug treatment. Evidence shows that drug consumption rooms do not increase drug use, frequency of injecting, drug dealing, drug trafficking or drug-related crime in the surrounding environment.”