Action is being taken to try to improve security at a crime-hit beauty spot where a teenager was ‘bottled’ in a disturbance.
The car park leading to Hem Heath Woods is set to be locked between 5pm and 8am from early next year. It will be locked at 9pm in summer.
It follows repeated complaints about anti-social behaviour at the site and talks with Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
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Now Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) is recruiting volunteers to open and lock the gates.
City councillor Maxine Clark said: “Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has taken the decision, on the advice of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police, to close the gates at Hem Heath Woods.
“The gates will be opened at 8am every day and closed at 9pm in the summer and around 5pm in the winter.
“The woods can still be used before or after these times but the car park will not be accessible. This is due to the high amount of calls regarding anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.
“Cars are parking…
