Drug paraphernalia found near graves after visitor sees 'blatant' dealing at cemetery

The claims come just months after the Bucks Free Press reported that drug dealers had been using the toilets in High Wycombe cemetery, in Hampden Road, to deal drugs.

Bereaved parents urged Wycombe District Council to install new safety measures at the cemetery after a sickening spate of vandalism to children’s graves last year.

And while a raft of new safety measures were installed, including CCTV at the main gates into the cemetery, it has not deterred drug dealers from hanging around in the area.

A member of the public who was visiting the Snowdrop Garden – where children are buried – on Sunday, said visitors to the cemetery were greeted by a “collective of alcohol and other substance abusers”.

The visitor – who wanted to remain anonymous, added: “The abuse was blatant and the dealing open.”

The next day, drug paraphernalia, including syringe packaging and tin foil, were spotted at the cemetery – and the disgusted visitor got in touch with the Bucks Free Press to air his concerns about the “potential risk to both visitors and cemetery workers”.

Wycombe District Council, which owns the cemetery, said no one had so far been in touch to report any concerns about drug dealing and illegal activity in the area, but urged anyone who spots it to call Thames Valley Police.

A spokesman said: “We would advise that anyone who witnesses any suspected illegal activity informs the police straight away.

“If you see drug paraphernalia, please do contact us as we continue to work with the police to deal with these issues.”

In a report to the High Wycombe town committee in June, Elaine Jewell, head of community at Wycombe District Council, said drug dealing had been taking place for a “short while” and they were working with police to stop it.

They hoped that CCTV – which was not working at the time due to a “connection issue” – would help identify those using the area to peddle or take drugs.