A RESIDENT has spoken out about syringes and other drug paraphernalia being dumped behind a city church.

A 38-year-old social worker, who lives near Worcester’s St Clement’s Church, is fed up with youths getting high next to the dilapidated parish hall.

Church leaders, who are selling the hall to a developer, said they will ensure security fencing is erected at the site.

The concerned resident, who was too scared to be named, said: "We have noticed it more in the last three months.

"The old parish hall located at the rear of the church seems to be a favourite gathering place for local youths to consume alcohol and use drugs such as cannabis.

"Part of it is dilapidated and falling down, it's next to the churchyard. It's a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

"In the last month and a half I've seen needles, spoons and foil there. I saw two people, a male and a female, completely out of it. They couldn't speak.

"I think the building needs to be secured, something needs to be put in place to deter people from hanging out there. CCTV or police patrols."

The resident, who has two dogs, added that she had reported the issues to the city council, the church and the police.

She said: "I'm fed up with constantly having to report each incident to the authorities.

“The churchyard is a cut-through for school children, families and dog walkers and having discarded needles on the floor poses a real health and safety risk.”

She said the group causing trouble comprises up to seven youths, aged between 13 and 17, who meet there every night.

The resident took pictures of the dumped drug paraphernalia two weeks ago.

City council workers attended the site, in Henwick Road, Worcester, last Thursday and safely removed needles and other items.

However, the resident said drug spoons were left next to the parish hall.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Worcester, said: “This growing problem was raised with the churchwardens at St Clement's, who were very concerned and alerted the diocesan office. We have asked our agents to work with the developer purchasing the site and ensure security fencing is erected as soon as possible.”