'Disgust' after clinical waste found in Swindon street

The yellow biohazard bags containing clinical waste were found in Prospect Place

Bags containing IV tubes and "pooled blood" were found in the street by a "shocked" passer-by.

Toby Robson found several biohazard bags to his "horror and disgust" in Prospect Place, Swindon, on Saturday.

The parish councillor said that on closer inspection, he was "appalled" to find they contained clinical waste.

The council removed it but another bag has since appeared in the same place. A spokesman said the incidents were "disturbing".

It is not known who the waste belongs to.

The Environment Protection Act 1990 states colour-coded yellow bags must be used for the storage of clinical waste contaminated with infectious or potentially infectious blood or bodily fluids.

They require disposal by incineration.

Local parish councillor Toby Robson said he was "appalled" to find the bags contained clinical waste

Mr Robson said: "I was walking with my kids on our way home on Prospect Place when I saw the biohazard signs on the bags and I did a classic double take.

"My partner is a nurse and I asked whether waste like this should be out on the street. She was as shocked as I was.

"The fact that these bags were within yards of several restaurants as well beggars belief. My partner took the kids home and I stayed to organise a removal."

Since they were removed another bag has been left in the same place

Mr Robson, who has called for an investigation, said Swindon Borough Council sent an emergency waste removal operator "within 15 minutes".

He said he also spoke to a passer-by who said she had "first noticed the bags on Wednesday, and they'd been there ever since".

A council spokesman said: "These incidents are extremely peculiar, not to mention disturbing.

"We would like to thank the members of the public for reporting these cases to us.

"Our Highways team responded within minutes on both occasions and took the waste to our depot while we investigate who left it there."