The incident happened during a game at the park’s baseball fields on October 18 – with the London Mets Baseball and Softball Club saying its worst fears over longstanding inaction to combat drug use had been realised.
The club, which has been based at Finsbury Park since 1988, flagged the incident to Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP Catherine West and Haringey Council.
The Mets’ board claim the council has continually neglected its responsibility to tackle drug use in the area, which they say has been an issue for more than ten years.
It says it raised concerns in June after used needles were discovered near the batting cages.
Haringey Council’s website states that patrols regularly monitor for anti-social behaviour in Finsbury Park. However, a month passed before the board was told patrols would be sent to the area. No club member has ever seen such patrols.
The website also states the council carries out police operations to address drug offences. But police had met the club’s senior leadership two weeks before the needle incident, and officers agreed the current process did not prevent anti-social behaviour in the fields, with one officer suggesting club volunteers directly engaged with the offenders themselves.
Joseph O’Connell, chair of the London Mets Club, told this paper that this was part of a wider pattern of council unresponsiveness and the board had been trying to resolve communication problems for two years before the child player stepped on the needle.
The Thursday before that incident, a council meeting was scheduled with the club, to which only one Haringey worker showed up, while another four did not respond.
The child player has recovered, but Mr O’Connell regards the incident as “too close for comfort”.
On behalf of the board, he said: “The London Mets Baseball Club had made Haringey Council aware of the serious levels of drug usage in the areas where we play. The level of responsiveness from the council has fallen far below what is reasonable for such an issue.
“During our fall ball programme a serious incident took place involving a youth player standing on a used needle. This could have been avoided had the council taken the action we had requested so that members of the local community can stay safe.
“We have since contacted the local council multiple times and to date no action has been taken nor has it been communicated to us when we can expect action to be taken.”
Lack of council engagement has hindered proposals put forward to improve field safety and year-round usability, the club says. Its members have maintained the fields with minimal local government support.
Following the incident, the club has asked Haringey Council to support the installation of artificial turf on the infields, outfield fencing and floodlights.
In response, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure Cllr Emily Arkell said: “We are very sorry to hear about this incident on the playing fields of the London Mets Baseball Club in Finsbury Park and hope that the person is recovering well.
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“The safety of our residents, park users and visitors to the borough is a top priority for us and we’re continuing to work collaboratively and constructively with the police, community safety partners and other stakeholders – including the London Mets Baseball Club – to ensure that remains the case.
“We have held a number of helpful meetings with the London Mets Baseball Club and addressed several issues.
“We always carefully consider any proposals that would improve the safety of our residents and visitors in Finsbury Park.”
