Dougie You are right, many LAs are backing off from this service though they have a statutory duty to attend to needle finds in areas in public ownership and/or Council owned properties. I have published reserach that shows a UK-wide deficiency in LA standards in this area, in some cases highlighting palpably unsafe practice and shoddy performance. You would need to search for and collect these needles with the greatest care. Disposal will require a licensed contractor and for this the LA may be cheaper than going directly to a waste management contractor, who incidentally will not do the initial retrieval for you. Preparing a protocol and framework for training of staff is a commercial task that I must not engage on here in the Forum. PM if you want to go down that line, but for more general DIY advice consider: a strict no touch approach awareness of hiding places; other drug litter etc sharps bins with wide mouth litter pickers and smaller locking forceps heavy duty preferably sharps proof gloves (not 100% but better that standard toughened gloves; gauntlets are even better) heavy duty preferably sharps proof boots hand hygiene security regular checks liaison with local DAT, LA & Police secure waste storage licenced and approved disposal of sharps bins Ian

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice and links. Cheers, Dougie.