"Mindless and moronic behaviour" has seen Stowmarket's beloved community park become the face of wreck and ruin, with some saying the broken glass and used needles have put them off visiting altogether. 

The latest incident saw broken glass bottles strewn across the recreation ground with Stowmarket residents saying the litter and anti-social behaviour have become "unbearable".

East Anglian Daily Times: One of the entrances to Stowmarket Recreation Ground.One of the entrances to Stowmarket Recreation Ground. (Image: Google Maps)

In fact, the littering has become so unbearable that Stowmarket resident Ell Roby now opts to take a train to Needham Market so her five-year-old son can play in peace.

Miss Roby said: "The amount of glass, rubbish and paraphernalia that is being left behind by other members of the public is just atrocious.

"My son has special educational needs and doesn't understand danger or fear.

"As a mother, I would never forgive myself if a piece of glass/rubbish injured him while I allowed him to play in the park."

East Anglian Daily Times: One of the entrances to Stowmarket Recreation Ground.One of the entrances to Stowmarket Recreation Ground. (Image: Google Maps)

Miss Roby firmly believes that alcohol shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the recreation ground, saying she's also witnessed empty syringes and used needles in the area.

"It's pure stupidity and laziness from these individuals," she added.

"Something needs to be done and the safety of the younger children in this town needs to be taken seriously."

East Anglian Daily Times: Keep Britain Tidy ambassador Mark Brewster, 63, lives nearby in Onehouse and regularly undertakes litter picks in the area.Keep Britain Tidy ambassador Mark Brewster, 63, lives nearby in Onehouse and regularly undertakes litter picks in the area. (Image: Mark Brewster)

Keep Britain Tidy ambassador Mark Brewster, 63, lives nearby in Onehouse and regularly undertakes litter picks in the area.

"There's a lack of discipline these days," he said.

"It's mindless, moronic behaviour. I think lack of enforcement is an issue and I often try to challenge people myself, but you have to be aware of the repercussions."

East Anglian Daily Times: Keep Britain Tidy ambassador Mark Brewster, 63, lives nearby in Onehouse.Keep Britain Tidy ambassador Mark Brewster, 63, lives nearby in Onehouse. (Image: Mark Brewster)

Mr Brewster pointed out that anti-social behaviour of this kind is not only harmful to humans, but also the local wildlife.

"I hate litter, I hate what it does to the environment," he added.

"Take bottles and cans for instance, mice crawl in for the residual sugar and then they can't get out."

The broken glass was found by Gemma Langridge, 42, who lives nearby and often walks on the recreation ground.

East Anglian Daily Times: Gemma Langridge collected the broken glass and discarded alcohol cans/bottles.Gemma Langridge collected the broken glass and discarded alcohol cans/bottles. (Image: Gemma Langridge)

She cleared the broken glass using a dog waste bag and posted a picture on Facebook to warn others, but said it is by no means an isolated incident.

Dee Callaghan, 30, echoed these sentiments, lamenting the loss of the town's "wonderful big green space" for games and family picnics.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dee Callaghan, 30, laments the loss of the town's wonderful big green space.Dee Callaghan, 30, laments the loss of the town's wonderful big green space. (Image: Dee Callaghan)

She said: "The carelessness needs to be addressed. If we don't act on this and sort this out, how long will it continue to go on?"

With a solution to the problem, Leanne Row, 40, said the park should be entirely covered by CCTV to "identify those causing trouble".

East Anglian Daily Times: With a solution to the problem, Leanne Row, 40, said the park should be entirely covered by CCTV.With a solution to the problem, Leanne Row, 40, said the park should be entirely covered by CCTV. (Image: Leanne Row)

While she doesn't want children using the recreation ground to be "harassed" by police presence, Miss Row said "they need to know their actions are monitored both for safety reasons and to deter bad behaviour".

Stowmarket mayor Nick Gowrley said a daily litter pick is carried out by the council on the recreation ground and, while they have dealt with broken bottles as quickly as possible, they have not yet received any reports of discarded needles.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stowmarket mayor Nick Gowrley.Stowmarket mayor Nick Gowrley. (Image: Stowmarket Town Council)

Faced with the idea that some people have simply stopped using the park, Councillor Gowrley said he was "very disappointed", adding: "We have a team up there all the time and that's not something that's come to us.

"I would encourage people to bring complaints to the town council, as we're always happy to have a chat."