The Army joined forces with community groups to clean up an east Oxford churchyard used by drug addicts - and unearthed 350 discarded syringes, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Soldiers from 522 Pioneer Squadron of the Royal Logistics Corps are spearheading a week-long clear-up at the Church of Ss Mary and John in Cowley Road.

Yesterday, more than 30 soldiers from the Bicester-based squadron were joined by young offenders, police and staff from Oxfordshire probation service and Oxford City Council.

The discarded syringes, some of which were years old, were found in the undergrowth. The volunteers also removed discarded dirty needles. Foliage is being cleared to make the area less attractive to drugs users. The churchyard, which backs on to Cowley Road, has been a regular haunt for heroin users. Now police have promised to monitor the area to make sure drugs users don't return.

Capt Andrew Booton of the Royal Logistics Corps, whose squadron is still involved in operations in Kosovo, said: "Community organisations including the police, probation service, church and city council have worked hard to ensure this project's success. We are pleased to be able to reinforce their efforts."

He added: "Pioneers are in constant demand because of their skills, equipment and strong work ethic. "Unfortunately, our busy operational programme means we rarely have the oppor- tunity to support such schemes."

Pc Chris Griffin, of Thames Valley Police, which co-ordinated the project, said: "This is a big attempt by a number of organisations to make a difference for the people of east Oxford.

"Over the past few years, the churchyard has been a popular hiding place for drug users. Despite many attempts by the police to clean up the area, drugs users keep returning to the churchyard, causing misery to churchgoers and nearby residents."

The vicar, the Rev Adam Romanis, said a lack of resources had made it difficult to pay for the upkeep of the church and its grounds. "We are happy to join this community partnership to tackle this problem," he said.

Once the clean-up has been completed, the city council could buy the churchyard and convert the land into a community park.

Story date: Wednesday 09 February

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