The police are investigating drug-related activities taking place at night in Pembroke after residents found large numbers of used syringes and other drug paraphernalia in garages, sources said.

The housing estate has become rife with such items, with residents concerned that drug-related activities taking place at night were on the rise.

“You have to constantly watch out where to step, to avoid used syringes, rolls or pieces of thin-foil, burnt bottoms of half-cut beer cans, and other drug-related items,” a resident, who did not wish to be named, said.

He fears walking in the common area leading to his garage at night as he is worried he might come face-to-face with the abusers.

On Monday, this newspaper reported that a young girl had picked up a used syringe while playing at the Pembroke Park, an area which, unlike the nearby Pembroke Garden, is not manned. The park is only minutes away from the housing estate and the Pembroke Athleta Football Nursery.

Pembroke Mayor Dean Hili said that while the council carried out clean-ups in the area once or twice a week, the locality urgently needed solutions to prevent such illegal behaviour.

Dr Hili said for months he had called on the St Julian’s police station, which was responsible for Pembroke, to step up the patrols it carried out in the locality, especially at night.

“The council needs more help. I have been saying for quite some time now that while we understand that the police station is overworked, the issue will not be resolved unless we have night patrols.”

Dr Hili said the council could not do anything about the cleaning up syringes found in garages, since it was only responsible for the public areas, but he would still be looking at options to prevent illegal activities at night from taking place.

“We have a similar situation with illegal dumping where we regularly remove bulky waste, such as rusted bath tubs and washing machines, from those areas, only to find more such waste the next day.”

He believes that with increased patrolling at night this problem, too, could be cut down.

Dr Hili said while Pembroke was less prone to the outrageous behaviour that Swieqi residents have come to expect as a result of their proximity to Paceville, the locality was slowing starting to feel the effects of being close to the nightlife hub.

“We have been in talks with the police station and even the Tourism Ministry but unfortunately things have not improved.

“A lot of money is being invested in cleaning up the area but what we really need are resources to help us prevent such abuse.”

Caritas spokeswoman Marika Mizzi said syringe needles posed great danger even if unused, let alone when used for drug abuse.

“An exposed needle can be very dangerous, especially if children pick it up or if someone with diabetes steps on it, since diabetics may not feel the prick of the needle and this could have serious repercussions.”

Ms Mizzi said that it was common practice among drug abusers to get together to consume drugs, very often resorting to sharing substances as well as syringes. This, she went on, increased the risk of syringes being infected with contagious diseases.

“As obvious as it may seem, one should never touch any syringe, especially if this has been used by substance abusers. Instead, one should always file a report with the relevant authorities.”