Horrifying images show men passed out in city centre subway - with 'heroin syringes' still in their hands

 Horrifying images show two men passed out in a busy city centre subway - with what are believed to be heroin syringes still in their hands.

This image, widely shared on social media, shows the horror of the drug scourge sweeping Belfast.

The men were found lying unconscious in a subway near the city's Albert clock early on the evening of August 17, surrounded by drug paraphernalia.

The use of heroin in Northern Ireland has dramatically increased in recent years, most of it in Belfast being supplied by ruthless organised crime gangs, in particular an eastern European mob dubbed 'The Russians'.

At the time this picture was taken the area was swarming with clubbers attending a Timmy Trumpet concert.

Many young teens walked past the oblivious pair, looking on in horror when they saw the needles sticking out of their pale arms.

There was a concentrated police presence outside the gig, including a Tactical Support Group squad in Land Rovers.

One source said: "Inside the gig was great. No trouble at all inside but outside it was madness, seeing young kids lying with needles hanging out of their arms is just as unbelievable as it is horrifying.

"Drugs are getting worse, the PSNI really need to get a grip on this, more needs to be done.

"This image is the reality of how serious our drug problem is."