Crime hotspot warning over former school site

The infant school building has been empty since three local schools were merged due to a fall in enrollment

A derelict former school site has become an anti-social behaviour hotspot and a "blight on our community", according to councillors.

Vandals have repeatedly targeted the former Bluebell Meadow Primary School in Trimdon Grange, said Durham County Councillor Lucy Hovvels.

She said the building had been damaged by fire in September, and youths had been involved in several incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Durham County Council has been urged to establish an empty buildings strategy to protect the site and others in the area.

'Security'

The infant school building was built in approximately 1911 and has been empty since three local schools merged due to falling numbers, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Before the site was damaged, film crews used it to shoot ITV crime drama Vera, starring BAFTA-winning Brenda Blethyn.

The school, previously known as Trimdon Grange Infant School, had been hit by several incidents, said Ms Hovvels, including young people climbing on to the building and creating a nuisance.

Fellow councillor Jake Miller said the site had "become a blight on our community, and a hotspot of ASB and other crime".

He added: "This has resulted in damage to a council building which would cost around £1m to repair, with current ongoing costs of paying for 24/7 security.

"This is because the council does not have an empty buildings strategy."

On Wednesday, councillors will vote on whether to approve Mr Miller’s call for such a strategy.

Council bosses will also provide an update about plans to sell the site.