A derelict eyesore supermarket is becoming a magnet for antisocial behaviour including drug taking and criminal damage says a resident who fears a potential arson attack.
"An ugly scar on St John's" is how one councillor describes the former Co-op store in St John's which has stood empty after closing in April 2022.
Residents fear it is attracting rising levels of crime and antisocial behaviour.
One resident, who did not wish to be identified, said: "Since it's been closed it's become a magnet for antisocial behaviour, rough sleepers, drug taking, street drinkers, kids smashing up glass, fly tipping and all sorts of general things that make you feel unsafe, and then finally last night it was broken into."
He said police attended and were 'very professional' but that locks had now been cut on the back gate to the car park and security fencing had been moved to allow access.
He added: "It is causing untold anxiety to residents as the smaller crimes are becoming more frequent and with the break in over the last week or so I am worried about arson."
He has been in contact with the security firm responsible who said they would send someone around.
However, he said: "The company that owns the site should be responsible for it being secure and not a magnet for crime in a small community. And it is getting worse and worse the more the location is left abandoned and left to ruin."
We have approached the Co-op for a comment but they had not replied by the time we went to press.
Cllr Richard Udall said: “I am very concerned about the condition of the former co-op store. I feel it was closed prematurely, before the owners had approval for any alternative use, this has left the site derelict, scruffy, untidy and as a possible risk to health."
He has been in contact with Co-op in Manchester which is sending in a team to inspect the site.
"I believe they have a duty to clean up the mess, remove the graffiti, and to ensure the entire site is secure against unlawful entry.
"They need to take immediate action to improve the condition of the site, currently it's an ugly scar on the face of St John’s, we can’t afford to let this go the same way as the former nightclub site at ZigZags.
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"This is an anchor site, everything else in St John’s depends on its future success, we need a new plan for St John’s to ensure its occupied soon”.
Police Sergeant Wayne Cashion of St John’s and Bedwardine Safer Neighbourhood Team said officers regularly patrol the area.
“We have received a report of criminal damage at this location in the past week, which was dealt with by patrol officers, but this is the first complaint we are aware of regarding drug taking and anti-social behaviour."
“Matters regarding fly-tipping should be reported to the city council while the issue of securing the perimeters is a matter for the landlord.
“We would be happy to work with the landlord of this disused site to address any outstanding issues.
People can report concerns to stjohnsbewardine.snt@westmercia.police.uk.”
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