In Pictures: Drugs Use Discovered In Underground Tunnel Near Busy Wrexham Retail Park

Syringes, smashed bottles and dozens of empty beer and cider cans have been found in an underground tunnel just yards from shoppers at a busy Wrexham retail park.

The underpass is accessible via the ramp to the right hand side of this image, within metres of the retail park on the left.

The discovery came after retailers on the Central Retail Park raised concerns about people sleeping rough in the underpass which runs under the railway towards Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

The entrance to the underpass, accessible via a ramp by the side of Dunelm Mill.

They say that those sleeping under the tunnel have caused major issues for shoppers due to anti-social behaviour.

People are usually seen going down there from 4pm onwards and only emerge again in the morning.

Wrexham.com went to take a look and uncovered evidence of drug use along with smashed beer and vodka bottles, empty beer cans, cider cans. Bizarrely there was also an empty child’s purse and a destroyed computer unit.

Empty cans of discounted cider are strewn by the ramp to the underpass, and inside.

A discarded can of lighter fuel lay next to a childrens purse, with several vodka bottle tops nearby.

A smashed computer was strewn in the undergrowth.

A fence had been partly torn away to allow people to gain access to the nearby railway track.

Councillor for Brynyffynon Phil Wynn told us he was aware of the problems, he said: “In the last four years I’ve been made aware of issues of people sleeping rough in the underpass and the issue comes and goes away.

“I’ve spoken with the PCSO for the ward to make her aware of the issue.

“There are people sleeping rough all over Wrexham though and if you move them on all you’re doing is moving the problem elsewhere.”

Councillor Wynn was keen to highlight the provisions available for homeless people, he said: “We’ve got the night shelter down at Maesydre on Holt Road, but not all those sleeping rough want to engage.

“People find themselves homeless for a number of different reasons from financial issues, especially in the current climate, to drink and drugs problems.

“The council are trying to encourage them to engage and the hope is that they will self refer and get the help they need to move into a normal lifestyle.”

Other facilities include the St Johns project on Chester Road which provides accommodation and 24-hour support to homeless men and women aged 18 +.