School cleans up alleyway littered with syringes

Hazel, 9, pictured with her mother Magdalena, said she was "proud" to see her poster as part of the alleyway clean-up

Parents and other local people have rolled up their sleeves to clean up an alleyway outside a primary school that had been littered with syringes.

St Augustine's CE Primary School in Woodston, Peterborough, organised a day of action on Tuesday.

Head teacher Sam Brunt had complained of pupils having to step around syringes, human faeces and having to pass people using heroin, as first reported by the Peterborough Telegraph.

“The community is here because they care," said Mr Brunt.

Sam Brunt said he was "thankful" to the community, councillors, police and parents for their efforts

The alleyway leads from the school off Palmerston Road to a Tesco store in Oundle Road.

Mr Brunt said the forest school area backed onto the alleyway, where drug users could be seen.

“No child deserves to be in that environment," Mr Brunt said.

“It’s horrific, but we don't want to normalise this behaviour. We have even had syringes thrown inside the school through the fence."

He said drug users needed support and that more of a police presence was required.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was aware of the school’s concerns

Magdalena, mother of nine-year-old Hazel, said: “I loved the fact that the community came together."

Pippa Philips, who lives near the school, said a similar community action last year helped tackle a fly-tipping hotspot outside the school.

"We hope to make a similar difference this time too," she said.

Mother-of-three and school supervisor Khamda Gayb said she was “pleased to see the area looking much cleaner and safe".

Students also took part in the project by creating "no littering" posters for the alleyway.

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “Our officers are working with the police to establish who is responsible for the alleyway and nearby properties so that landowners can be consulted over ongoing maintenance arrangements."

Cambridgeshire Police said it was aware of the school’s concerns and "will be conducting regular proactive patrols".