A THREE-YEAR-OLD toddler found a drugs syringe in the stairwell outside her Southampton home.

Little Whitney Jennings picked up the needle before her mum could stop her at their home in Bitterne.

Mum Jade Jennings “screamed”

and took the syringe out of her daughter’s hand when she found it as they headed to the shops.

The 21-year-old mum is fed up with finding excrement and drugs paraphernalia near her home in Macarthur Crescent and called on Southampton City Council to take action.

Housing bosses have told how a team of cleaners was sent out to the flats as soon as Jade raised the alarm.

They also revealed they are now working with health services to prevent needles being discarded.

“It’s like a drug den in the communal area,” said Jade.

She said: “Whitney was coming down the stairs and said ‘look what I’ve got, Mum’.

“She was holding the syringe part and not the needle, but God forbid if she’d touched the needle.”

Miss Jennings’ partner had left for work when she took her ninemonth- old daughter Ria and Whitney.

She had hoped new secure doors would prevent drug users from entering.

Councillor Peter Baillie, Southampton City Council’s housing spokesman, said the council is discussing increased needle exchanges with the Primary Care Trust so users can dispose of them easily and safely.

This also means users will be able to pick up new syringes to reduce infections.

Of the needle discovery, he said: “We can reassure residents that we take any incident that puts residents’ health at risk very seriously.

“Specialist cleaners have been sweeping the area to ensure that it is safe.

“We will investigate this matter further and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour on any of our council estates.”

Mr Baillie has worked in health services for more than 20 years and said he often sees needles in the city.

He said: “I come across this all the time. It’s a widespread problem and it’s unacceptable.”