THE Borders public is being urged to tell the police when they find discarded needles and other paraphernalia associated with drug taking.

Last week’s meeting of the Police, Fire and Rescue & Safer Communities Board heard that, in the six months to September 30, 18 such discoveries had been reported across the region – up from 13 in the corresponding period last year.

Chief Inspector John Scott, leader of the multi-agency Safer Communities Team (SCT), told the board: “I have no doubt that this is not a true record of the amount of public drug-taking that is actually taking place.

“While discoveries of needles and items like burnt tin foil have gone up, this is one statistic I would like to see go much higher.

“By collating and analysing this information and identifying locations, we can better deliver targeted prevention activity.

“On no account, for obvious reasons, should the public touch such items, but they should at least report them.” Reporting on the SCT’s objective of reducing the negative impact of substance abuse, CI Scott said the number of people detected for supplying drugs over the six months was 27 – the same level as last year.

The board heard that the 16% of stop-and-searches for drugs had produced positive results – compared to 14% last year.

On the impact of alcohol misuse on crime, CI Scott, said there had been an increase in the number of anti-social behaviour incidents which were drink-related – from 1,039 to 1,206 – a trend in part due to the good weather of the summer and the resultant number of alfresco house parties.

Although the number of incidents relating to licensed premises had increased – from 176 to 209 - he said this was down to “more robust recording of incidents”.

“Some really positive work has been done with licensed premises behind the scenes to ensure they are well run and that best management practice is followed,” said CI Scott.

“The fact is that the drinking culture has changed orientation, with people pre-loading on cheap alcohol before going out with the pubs only seeing them for perhaps two hours on a Saturday night.”