A SPATE of vandalism is being investigated by police after syringes were left stuck in flowerbeds with the needles pointing upwards.

Broken vodka bottles were also left in the ground less than a week after a tin of paint was thrown over the gardens at Hampshire Court in Kemp Town, Brighton.

Christina Hadleigh, 68, who tends parts of the garden, said: “The needles were actually put stuck in the ground with the needles sticking up so when we put our hand into the ground we would get them stuck in our hands.”

A spokesman for Sussex police said: “Police officers were told that a quantity of hypodermic needles had been found in the garden, left with sharp ends upwards as if deliberately intended to cause harm.”

He confirmed that the needles had now been disposed of and that the police would be looking into the matter.

Ms Hadleigh, who looks after the gardens for herself and on behalf of her neighbours, said it was hurtful that someone would deliberately throw paint over her garden.

She said: “Don’t take it out on the plants. They haven’t done anything. If you don’t like me then come and talk to me, don’t take it out on the plants.”

She said she searched all the surrounding areas for signs of a drugs tin but could not find any, leading her to believe this was a premeditated attack on her private property.

Sussex Police, who were called last Wednesday, are linking the two acts.

Anyone with information relating to either incident is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting serial 358 of January 7.