SHARDS of glass which were found near a popular dog walking site in Colchester have seen a councillor issue a warning to pet owners and members of the public.

The glass was found near a stile in Sydney Street, which leads to the Birch Brook footpath in Middlewick Ranges.

But a member of the community’s neighbourhood watch team alerted a borough councillor about the glass at the weekend, and steps are now being put in place for it to be removed by Landmarc solutions, the service provider for the British Army.

Councillor David Harris, the Labour councillor for Berechurch ward, said the glass had been left there after beer and spirit bottles had been smashed on Friday and Saturday.

He said: “It was in Friday daytime and again on Saturday – I picked bits of it up in Birch Walk and around that area.

“When it was reported to me by one of the neighbourhood co-ordinators, I hot footed it over there and contacted the army to get them to help.

“It makes you wince every time you think about [what might happen].”

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Mr Harris added the army’s land management service is now aware of the incident and will be clearing the glass up as soon as possible.

“I’ve alerted the army; I’ve told Landmarc, who manage the property on the other side of the stile, and they’ve responded, but they can only do so much.

“We have to alert the public that if you see it, make sure you report it – if people know to report it, it means something can get done so nobody gets hurt.”

The councillor also blasted those responsible for the broken glass by saying it showed a lack of thought for others and a lack of respect for the community.

He added: “The smashed glass is irresponsible and ridiculous – I think the people who are doing it are either mindless, or not thinking about the impact it could have on others.”

It was later confirmed that Landmarc had safely cleared up the glass by Monday afternoon.