Library closes early due to anti-social behaviour

The council said the library had been attracting anti-social behaviour

A library will close early over the next two weeks, because of anti-social behaviour.

Shropshire Council said it was taking the action at Oswestry Library because "the behaviour of a minority of individuals resulted in several difficult incidents in and around the library throughout the school summer holidays".

It will close at 15:00 BST each day and return to its normal opening hours on 3 November, after the half term holiday.

The council apologised for the inconvenience, but said: "The safety of staff and customers must be the highest priority."

The only day the library will be open as normal will be 30 October, when a community open day will be held.

James Owen, the councillor responsible for housing and leisure, said the council was "working closely with relevant local partners to manage these issues".

In June, a council report said there were "persistent and escalating" incidents of anti-social behaviour in recent years.

It mentioned drug-taking and vandalism, which the council said happened mostly during the evening and at night.