NO section of society is immune from the detrimental effects of cuts to local services, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said.

The senior Labour politician hit the streets of Swindon today in a bid to address the rise in crime and the prevalence of discarded needles littering the streets.

He told the Adver: “When I visit areas like this, I want to know what the main issues are that affect local people. One of the big problems here is what has happened as a result of cuts to policing and other services.”

The shadow chancellor met with Labour councillors in the Prospect Place area of Old Town this afternoon, where last week a bunch of discarded needles was found by residents.

The cache of more than 20 syringes and assorted drug paraphernalia was found on the corner of Prospect Place and King William Street.

Addressing the problem of drug use, Mr McDonnell said: “Because of the cuts to services, the NHS and policing, we are not identifying drug users soon enough. We are failing to help those who are prone to drug use or to the social problems that allow people to get sucked in to drug use in the first place.”

He said the solution is to make sure local councils are “properly funded”.

“We need to invest in more police officers on the streets and work with local councillors and education services to tackle problems at the source.”

Labour’s manifesto for the coming election contains a promise to “build a small number of units to house Swindon’s rough sleepers using the ‘Housing First’ model”.

It is hoped that this approach will help tackle problems which stem from vulnerable people having nowhere to live, such as the prevalence of used needles in the streets.

Old Town councillor Nadine Watts acknowledged that discarded drug paraphernalia is not just a problem in her ward but one that is faced by communities all across Swindon.

She said: “This is becoming more prevalent and we want to raise awareness about it and find out how we can tackle it. To see hypodermic needles in the streets, especially when they are close to children’s play areas, is very concerning.”

She advised: “If you do see a hypodermic needle, don’t pick it up. report it to the council and they usually come out within the hour.”

She also reminded people of a residents’ meeting taking place in Christchurch Community Centre on Friday, April 20 from 8pm to discuss issues of this nature.