Commissioners 'saddened' by beach needle incident

Authority says it's 'committed to the provision of a safe environment for the public'

Port Erin Commissioners says it's 'concerned and saddened' over an incident in which a nine-year-old needed precautionary medical treatment after stepping on a needle at Port Erin beach.

The response comes after the granddaughter of a visitor from the UK stood on a needle at the beach and although she was okay, she was taken to Noble's Hospital as a precaution, where she received Tetanus and Hepatitis shots.

The local authority says the matter has been highlighted to its staff 'who are committed to the provision of a safe environment for the public.'

Furthermore, the commissioners adds its team is 'dedicated to ensuring it remains clean and safe for all visitors.'

Port Erin Commissioners states an issue with the authority's tractor meant it was unable to deploy its surf rake on the beach this week, but that this is not the only part of its beach maintenance routine.

The authority goes on to say that its staff continues to litter pick 'regularly' to remove as much waste from the site as possible.

The full statement from Port Erin Commissioners on the matter reads as follows:

"Port Erin Commissioners were concerned and saddened to learn of a recent incident involving a child and a discarded needle on Port Erin Beach. We are extremely proud of the beach and our team are dedicated to ensuring it remains clean and safe for all visitors. Due to a current gearbox issue with our tractor, we have been unable to deploy our surf rake this week however this forms only one part of our beach maintenance routine. 

"Our staff continue to litter pick regularly to remove as much waste as possible from the beach including items that may have been deposited after the surf rake has completed its cleaning circuit.

"In 2024 Port Erin Commissioners launched a campaign to clean up the beach and surrounding area and highlight the public’s responsibility to remove their waste from public areas. 

"The waste collection capacity along the beach was increased by 400% and this capacity has continued into 2025. 

"Recent social media posts and reports into the office suggest that this increased capacity has had little effect on the small minority of beach visitors who continue to discard their waste without due care or consideration for other users, as evidenced on the beach after a sunny weekend. 

"During the summer months our team provide essential waste removal, litter picking and beach clearance services 7 days a week.

"When we were contacted at the office to discuss the incident with us, the member of the public advised that they did not believe that the needles were related to issues of substance abuse although the Southern Neighbourhood Policing Team have been informed. 

"This incident has also been highlighted to Port Erin Commissioners staff who are committed to the provision of a safe environment for the public."