DIRTY needles are littering an Oxford beauty spot as heroin addicts use the area to shoot up.

Police have warned increasing numbers of used hypodermic syringes are being left uncapped in areas around Oxford Ice Rink in Oxpens Road and nearby Grandpont Nature Reserve.

Now officers are stepping up patrols amid fears someone could step on a needle.

Earlier this month police found a “substantial” amount of drugs – believed to be class A – in a bag near the ice rink. It is currently being analysed.

Used condoms and beer cans have also been strewn around the parkland and one person is living in a tent hidden among the trees.

Official city council figures show there have been seven reported findings of needles this year.

But when the Oxford Mail visited Grandpont on Friday, we found three used needles and more than 40 syringe caps in just 10 minutes.

City centre police officer Pc Paul Phillips said the official number masked the real problem. He said: “There is a very real chance that a member of the public could come into contact with these needles.

“We know there are more and more and I think the problem is that a lot of the time they are not being reported.

“As the weather gets nicer more and more people will use these parks and enjoy the areas. Children are especially vulnerable because they are very curious and will pick up anything.

“We have increased patrols and are targeting the areas where we know there is a problem to make sure these beauty spots are safe places for people to enjoy.

“We are not telling people not to come here. Visitors just need to exercise caution.”

Pc Phillips added that addicts were injecting in the day as well as at night.

Anyone injured by a needle could be at risk of diseases, including HIV and Hepatitis C, and bacterial infection.

Pcso Ewa Jordan said: “We have been patrolling these areas a lot more because know there are more needles being discarded.”

Accountant Caitlin Dorn, 23, from Abingdon Road, said she was shocked at the problem.

She said: “I use Grandpont quite a lot as it’s a nice place to relax.

“It always looks so pretty so it’s quite scary to hear that drug addicts are using it.

“I think it’s extremely irresponsible for users to leave needles on the floor and put other people at risk.”

Father-of two Ahmed Khan, 37, from East Oxford, added: “My children use the ice rink and we sometimes play football on the field.

“It is worrying but I expect this isn’t the only area affected.”

City council park wardens remove the syringes when they have been reported.

Council spokesman Louisa Dean said there have been seven needle findings since January, but added: “This may not paint the whole picture as some people may not report them.”