Dumped needles pose health threat

Monday, 15 April, 2002, 06:14 GMT 07:14 UK

More than 200 people were stabbed by discarded needles in the UK last year, a report says.

Research by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign found that more than 20,000 used needles were found littering public places.

They were found in parks, public toilets, churchyards, abandoned cars and on beaches.

The needles are mostly used by people abusing drugs and there is a risk that they will be infected with potentially life-threatening diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

A total of 214 people, including 17 children, were stabbed or injured by the dangerous litter.

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