The Scale Of Crime And Vandalism In Old Magistrates Court - Just 200 Yards From Borough Council Revealed
Many of you will have seen the shocking news about the condition and state of the Old Magistrates Court just yards from the Borough Offices. It has now emerged that there has been rough sleeping, drinking, extensive vandalism and even hard and illegal drug use within the building. On a very basic level the vandalism has reached dreadful proportions with most windows smashed and the doors broken and open to the elements.
Lib Dem Campaigner Tom Snowden says "I think it's extremely disappointing that the Labour council have allowed such an iconic building in the centre of town to fall into such a vandalised dilapidated state.
"A grade II listed building that's become a ruined shell not 200 yards from the council buildings. While the old court building falls apart, Labour argues about how to re-decorate the town hall. We have to ask if Labour can't take care of our past, how can we trust them with the future?"
Local resident Keith Falconer is concerned about the anti-social behaviour in the area. The council and the police turning a blind eye towards the state of the magistrates court, and what happens inside it, only encourages more social problems for the centre of town. Councillor Davenport is concerned that this iconic building, in such a prominent town centre location, is being allowed to become a total eye sore and a health and safety risk to local residents.
We say that the Labour Council need to stop their internal fighting and get on with solving the problems that we have in Chesterfield.
The Liberal Democrats have obtained a set of shocking pictures that reveal the full state of the internal damage, the extent of the smashed windows, the rampant vandalism and the crimes that are taking place within the Old Court building. All this just 200 yards from where the Labour Council sits and meets.
For many across the town the Magistrates Court building is iconic, built in the late 1950's and listed in 1998, there are so many potential uses that it could be brough to life. An immediate homeless shelter was one option, an arts centre and community use - with some imagination and with a Council that actually cared and was pro-active so much could have been possible. Now it will all be about limiting the damge and that might be just too late.
Pictured below are local resident Keith Falconer, Cllr Maureen Davenport and Lib Dem campaigner for Chesterfield, Tom Snowden.
As featured in the Derbyshire Times www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/shocking-pictures-chesterfield-s-old-magistrates-court-is-now-a-drugs-den-1-8448606