DRUG users will not use a needle bin fitted to public toilets in Stroud because it is out in the open by a CCTV camera, fears a charity.

Mike Athienites of Marah - which helps adults in Stroud with issues like homelessness and drug addiction - has argued any sharp box installed on the Bedford Street toilets will go unused by drug users unless it is inside a cubicle.

The district council has responded by saying putting bins inside all nine cubicles would be too expensive.

Mike told the SNJ: “In our experience anyone who is going to use the box isn’t going to carry their needle all the way outside”.

“And the CCTV camera nearby is definitely going to put them off.

“Not to mention there is a risk to public safety by having drug users walking about with their used needles.

“Our experience is that if a sharp box is in the cubicle then it can be disposed of by an intravenous drug user discreetly.”

The box was installed on the toilets by Stroud District Council after it closed the cubicles over discarded needles left inside them.

The proposal for the sharp box came from Stroud Town Council, which held an emergency meeting on anti-social behaviour when the toilets were closed.

It has since welcomed the sharp box and other security measures like more CCTV monitoring and patrols by the district council and police.

In response to Michael’s concerns, a spokesperson for Stroud District Council said: “We are pleased the sharp box has been welcomed by the town council.

“No complaints about this sharps bin have been made to Stroud District Council.

“In line with three other public toilets administered by Stroud District Council which have sharps bins, needles are put in the sharps bins from the outside of the facility.

“There are nine cubicles in Bedford Street and installation in all nine would be prohibitive in terms of cost and servicing.

“The CCTV camera is there to protect the public, and footage can be reviewed but is not routinely viewed live.”

A month before the toilets were shut down in July, the council cut how often it cleaned all of its public toilet facilities throughout the district.

This cut saved the district council £20,000 from its annual budget.

A spokesperson has since said the cleaning cut and closure were “unrelated”.