RESIDENTS are being urged to stay vigilant after reports that drug paraphernalia was found near a children’s park.

Experts scoured the Gathering Ground Wood off Normanby Drive, Connah’s Quay, following reports of syringes littered on the ground.

The trained council officers did not uncover any needles but they did find a bag containing ‘materials’ thought to be linked to drug-taking.

Tom Woodall, countryside services manager, told the Leader it was an isolated incident.

“The countryside service manages the Gathering Ground Wood and we followed up last night’s check with a wider search beyond the area originally specified,” he said.

“A very old bag in a state of decay was found containing some materials and it appeared to have been dragged out of the undergrowth by an animal.

“Our countryside rangers regularly carry out work in the woods and patrol the area and I would stress that incidents regarding drug use or any other anti-social behaviour in the woods are very rare indeed with only two incidents being reported in the last six years.”

Andy Macbeth, environmental services manager at Flintshire Council, urged residents to report any suspicious materials.

He said: “We have trained officers who can respond to reports of clinical sharps and other drug related paraphernalia being found.

“Residents should report any finds as quickly as possible as the safety of the public is our top priority but they should not pick up any materials they discover.”

Call the countryside service at Wepre Park on 01244 814931 to report an incident.