Car park closure order over antisocial behaviour

A closure order for a multi-storey car park has been granted because of what police said were reports of 'serious and ongoing antisocial behaviour'.

The Belgrade Plaza site in Coventry city centre has been shut since April, after operator National Car parks (NCP) went into administration, but people have continued to park their cars there.

The area has seen a rise in antisocial behaviour and drug taking, West Midlands Police said.

"By obtaining a closure order we are aiming to reduce drug use, trespassing and threatening behaviour in the car park. Antisocial behaviour has no place in our city centre," Insp Maria Perrin said.

The force said the closure order, which lasts three months but can be extended to six months, was the last resort.

It was issued using powers under Section 80 of the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Police Act 2014.

If someone is found guilty of breaching the order, they could be jailed for a maximum of 51 weeks, depending on the seriousness of the offence, and be handed an unlimited financial penalty.

In July, the BBC discovered that the 1,000-space structure was still being used by drivers to park their cars, two months after the site had been officially closed.

The city council said it was in the process of closing access to the car park from the Ring Road, to prevent motorists using the structure while the closure order is in place.

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