Police Make Renewed Bid For Needle Exchange

North Wales Police made a fresh bid yesterday to site a controversial needle exchange machine for drug addicts outside a police station.

The scheme, which would allow heroin users in Colwyn Bay to swap used syringes for clean ones, was previously denied planning permission by Conwy councillors.

But police, acting on behalf of several agencies, plan to lodge an appeal.

They said in a statement: “North Wales Police, on behalf of the Conwy Community Safety Partnership and the Conwy Substance Misuse Action Team, can confirm they are to appeal against Conwy County Borough Council’s decision to refuse planning permission to site a needle exchange machine at the rear of Colwyn Bay Police Station.

“This decision has been taken following a full and comprehensive review of all of the circumstances.”