Corby skatepark plagued by marijuana use

The smell of the drug is filling the air around West Glebe park in the evenings as users of the popular urban park are thought to be indulging in the drug.

The skatepark, which is run by Corby Council, is right next to a park for a young children.

Cllr Kevin Watt, who has alerted the police to the issues, said there are youngsters who are coming into contact with the marijuana fumes.

He said: “I regularly cycle past in the evenings and the smell of marijuana coming from the skatepark is inescapable.

“I feel that the police are prioritising looking into class A drug use over this.

“These young people are coming normalised to the smell and that cannot be right. We have got to prioritise our young people.”

Neighbourhood policing sergeant Jon Hodgson said: “We are aware of the issues at West Glebe Park and I would like to reassure the local community that we are working hard to tackle them.

“Over the summer, our focus has been on Operation Viper with a large amount of class A drugs seized and a number of people arrested. We know, having spoken to residents in Corby, that drug use is one of the issues they would like us to continue working on, particularly that which affects the community’s ability to enjoy some of Corby’s fantastic green spaces, including West Glebe park.

“The area in and around West Glebe park is being patrolled by local officers daily and we are working hard, with partners, to resolve the issues, looking to ensure offences are dealt with robustly and safeguarding measures are put in place, as appropriate, for young or vulnerable people.

“I would encourage anyone with any information about drug use or anti-social behaviour to contact us on 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk/reportonline. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A spokesman for Corby Council said: “We are aware that West Glebe park is a hot spot for young people to congregate and our neighbourhood wardens have increased patrols in this area in order to engage with young people and tackle any anti-social behaviour. We will of course continue to work with the police on this matter and feed any information through to the police. We would ask residents who witness any anti-social behaviour to report this to our community safety team.’