Fewer needles being found on streets, council says

The number of discarded drug needles being found in Peterborough has decreased substantially, the city council has said.

About 170 needles were found between April and June 2026, compared with 1,066 in the same period in 2025, a reduction of 84%.

The authority said increased availability of needle and sharps bins for safe disposal had helped to tackle the issue.

Councillor Ann Shaheed said: "Our needle bins continue to be well-used, preventing dangerous drugs paraphernalia from ending up on the streets, potentially coming into contact with children or vulnerable residents."

The council has been working with Cambridgeshire Police, the drugs support group Aspire and local campaigners.

Between October 2019 and June 2026, more than 2,900 needles were disposed of in the 15 bins installed around Peterborough.

Several wards including North, East and Fletton and Woodston have seen a fall in the number of discarded needles, with none found in the Barnack area, where more than 200 had been collected in the same period last year.

Earlier this month, Chris Wiggin, a cabinet member for environment at the authority, said he was shocked after about 70 discarded drug needles were uncovered during a city-centre clean-up project.

Harry Machin, from Peterborough Litter Wombles, said: "The stats are consistent with the overall picture, I do think there are fewer needles.

"If you dig deep into these areas, you're going to find historical needles as they're not all current needles.

"I would say, more alcohol is being drunk and more canisters being used, but it seems that there aren't more needles."

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