A MOTHER has called for action after her six-year-old son trod on a used needle as he walked to his Poole primary school.

Luckily it failed to pierce the young lad's shoes, but the area it had been discarded has become a magnet for drunks and anti-social behaviour, neighbours say.

According to parents, children are often approached and subjected to obscene comments by street drinkers at the site.

Concerned mum Louise Carr told the Daily Echo: "Thankfully he stepped on the other end to the needle point, so it didn't go through his shoe. This is a popular route to Longfleet School used by many children and their parents. Even dogs are walked in the area. The scary thought is a child might have even picked this up."

Louise's partner carefully removed the needle and placed it in a nearby bin, before informing police and the Borough of Poole (BOP) so it could be properly disposed of.

The needle was discovered at the end of Poole's Kingston Road, leading to Tatnam, on Friday.

Louise said: "Police are aware that drunks are always there during the day and evening, which the local community and myself have complained about numerous times.

"Young girls and boys have been approached and obscene comments made to them when going to the shops.

"Police go and tell them to stop drinking and move on. But they soon come back, and now used needles are being found. People need to be aware and something needs to be done for the safety of everyone."

Neighbourhood Inspector Andy Edwards said: "We are aware of some issues at this location and local officers are liaising with Poole Borough Council regarding longer term problem solving.

"Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will step up patrols in the area and are committed to dealing robustly with issues that affect local communities.

"If needles are located, members of the public are advised to contact their local council so they can be removed and disposed of safely."

Inspector Edwards added that members of the public are encouraged to report acts of anti-social behaviour to Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.