A COWLEY Road business owner claims drug users are driving away customers by leaving syringes outside his shop 'on a daily basis'.

Community campaigners, meanwhile, have raised safety fears about children walking past the needles on the way to school.

Nay Aung, who has run Honest Stationery with his sister Pearl Phyu for two years, said the wide front covered area of the shop made it a hotspot for drug activity.

He explained: "We don't have a roller shutter and so they think it's perfect. On a daily basis there are syringes or something else outside. We had evidence of a small fire last week.

"It does have an impact on business. We have to spend at least 15 minutes clearing away syringes, rubbish or cleaning the bad smell.

"Our regulars know to avoid first thing but it's a worry that new customers are being put off coming in."

Qasim Ali Mehrban, who owns nearby corner shop Eastern and Continental Store, said while they did not have an issue with drug paraphernalia staff often found rubbish and other evidence of rough sleeping.

He added he believed the problem had increased recently, saying: "It's one retailer really affected at the moment but it is going to grow.

"It puts the area in a bad light and if something isn't done it will affect the vibe of Cowley Road and put people off coming here.

"At the moment we still have lots of eateries and shops investing in the area but that will change if the only thing Cowley Road is associated with is drugs."

Katherine Miles, co-ordinator for Bullingdon Road neighbourhood watch, which was created this summer in response to increased drug usage in Cowley Road and the surrounding streets, said the council was doing a good job in 'challenging circumstances' but more action was needed.

She added her main concern was that children and parents often used that part of Cowley Road to get to school.

She said: "East Oxford Primary School is close and they go past Honest Stationery. Children deserve to get to and from school using a safe route."

East Oxford Primary School headteacher Russell Kaye said, while there had been instances reported to the school of syringes, the issue was not confined to one shop or route, adding: "We are aware of a problem across the whole of the East Oxford area."

He said any cases were reported to the council immediately.

The problem is also affecting nearby churches with Carl Rasmussen, whose sister-in-law is caretaker for James Street Church, saying she had to call the council earlier this month after finding a pile of syringes next to a ramp leading up to the building.

He said: "It's a secluded spot that isn't occupied during the day so I think that's why they are using it."

It comes after nearby St Mary and St John Church made the decision to block the entrances to its church grounds via Cowley Road, Magdalen Road and Leopold Street to deter drug users.

A new task force was created by Oxford City Council in September to tackle the issue. It was formed in response to residents' worries about the visibility of drug crime in public spaces in the city, with the number of discarded needles found on the streets going up by more than 15 per cent in a year.

The Oxford Public Spaces Drugs Taskforce is composed of a police sergeant, two police officers, two PCSOs and a problem-solving police analyst.

They are supported by a problem-solving city council officer and PCSOs have been funded via a £70,000 grant provided by the city council.

City councillor Tom Hayes, who is involved with the taskforce as executive board member for a safer and greener environment, said there was 'no excuse' for drug users leaving discarded needles on the streets and outside shops.

He added: "It is reckless and irresponsible.There are places where people can dispose of needles safely.

"We would urge everyone to use those spaces and services like charity Turning Point which are available right now."

Mr Hayes said needles can be reported to the city council online and will be collected.