USED needles, other drug paraphernalia, vomit, human faeces and piles of rubbish have all been found in a community area within the grounds of New County Hall — Cornwall Council’s headquarters in Truro.

Residents say they now feel too scared and intimidated to visit the community orchard, a public space which is popular with dog walkers and picnicking families.

Concerns about antisocial behaviour in the vicinity of the orchard to the rear of New County Hall/Lys Kernow were raised at a meeting of Truro City Council on July 29, while this week an anonymous Truro resident posted pictures of needles and heaps of rubbish found in the area on a Facebook page dedicated to the city.

The concerned local wrote: “This is the state of the footpath through the orchard behind New County Hall, up until now it’s just been piles of rubbish, foul language, burnt out detritus and what I can only assume is discarded stolen goods. This morning I found a pile of used needles and other paraphernalia, discarded in the middle of the footpath.

“Speaking to police 101, they couldn’t be less interested … they referred me to the council to arrange having it cleaned up. However I feel at this point, leaving used needles crosses a line and we need a more permanent solution.

“This is supposed to be a community area, where families can picnic and pick apples. They should be free to do so without having to worry about standing on stray needles.”

The antisocial behaviour is taking place in the community space between 18 Bunkabin ‘homeless pods’ to the rear of New County Hall and the Newham Trail, which is in the finishing stages of being upgraded at a cost of over £1-million.

A dog walker, who regularly uses the orchard and didn’t want to be named, said: “I’ve really had enough of the way the area has gone down the pan. I live very close to the trail. I agree that we need action. Since the pods were used to house the homeless, there are now huge issues on the Newham Trail with litter, empty alcohol bottles, discarded bedding and clothing.

“There are also larger numbers of homeless people hanging around the area, shouting, swearing and taking drugs. I no longer feel safe as a lone female walking my dog.

“The community orchard has become a meeting place for drinking alcohol and camping. It’s a disgusting health hazard. I had to stop my dog from eating human excrement last week and I decided then that I would now completely avoid the area. I also stopped walking in the fox’s reserve area [an urban nature reserve near New County Hall] as people were taking drugs in there at the bottom end.”

She added: “I have contacted the council on more than one occasion but have not received any feedback so far. The environmental department said to me that it was a housing issue and housing said it was environmental. It’s a shame because there was a huge amount spent on redeveloping the Newham Trail and now it has become totally unsafe.”

The matter has been taken up by Cornwall councillor Rob Nolan, who represents the Truro Boscawen and Redannick division. He told us: “I wrote to Kate Kennally [Cornwall Council’s chief executive] in November last year when I saw that other people were being allowed to stay near the pods, and said that although the pods were well managed, there was antisocial behaviour, litter at the back of New County Hall, and across Truro, and we couldn’t cope with the numbers that were coming.

“She assured me that reviews had taken place and that reviews would continue. Since then matters have continued to get worse, with the area around the orchard often being strewn with rubbish, including used needles, vomit and excrement.”

Cllr Nolan, who also sits on Truro City Council, added: “People who walk their dogs there and along the Newham Trail are now looking for other places to go, as they feel scared down there.

“I wrote to Kate again on Monday, saying the situation has got worse and it was shameful that this was being allowed to happen. I got a quick reply saying she would talk to the team involved, but I’m still waiting for a substantial response. We need action on this, not another ‘review’.”

It was reported by a security guard employed by the council at New County Hall that they have in the past had to escort staff to their cars parked near the community orchard as they are too scared to walk there on their own.

Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police have both been approached for comment about antisocial behaviour in the community orchard and surrounding area.