Neighbours say they are living a nightmare as people trespass into an abandoned care home on a daily basis and can be seen drinking and partying on the balconies. Residents on Sherwood Road and George Street in Worksop have described how "feral children" have been breaking into the site of a former care home each night since a fire broke out earlier this year.
Abbeymoor Nursing Home was closed several years ago in the town, but the site was badly damaged in a fire that broke out on Sunday, February 19, following which two people were arrested on suspicion of arson. Residents say that since the fire it has become more obvious that the site is empty, and youths have been illegally entering the site at all times of the day and night.
Due to all of the anti-social and criminal behaviour taking place, retired Michael Crossland, 71, has described the former nursing home as "a children's playground." He explained: "It's been going on for two months now.
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"At first we thought it was to do with drugs and but then the kids are just 12 to 13 year olds and they are here generally every night. We have complained to the police and they came and chased the kids away and now I've reached out to the council."
Michael explained that the kids are "running riot" and keep coming back, describing them as "feral kids causing chaos."He added: "The police did say to us last night (Tuesday, July 4) phone all the time so they have a record of it.
"The person that owns the place is never here." He explained that generally Sherwood Road is "quite a nice area" and would like to see the site used again, adding: "It would be a nice home for somebody or flats."
Speaking about the ongoing problem, housekeeper, Natalie Reid, 53, said: "It's getting quite bad and I'm concerned that one of those children is going to get injured. I've seen them running around and there's a balcony up stairs that they like to go on.
"They look very young, then there's older children later at night and I'm always thinking someone is going to get drunk and fall." Natalie added: "It's frightening as it's like a building site, everything is falling down."
She explained that she has lived on the road for around 20 years, and that for most of that time the building has been empty and she rarely sees the owner.
She described what has happened to the building as "a shame" and feels that "perhaps now the house will need to be demolished." Retired Tony Dowd, in his seventies, has also experienced a number of issues due to trespassing at the site.
When asked how long it has been going on for, Tony said: "Approximately four months, it's been since the fire. I've lost count the number of times I've called the police, not just on 101 but on 999 as well, the last time was the day before yesterday (Monday, July 3)."
He explained that in the days leading up to the fire he suffered a heart attack and was in hospital when it happened as he had three stints fitted, but since returning home the situation at the site is causing him constant stress. He said: "It's causing me and my wife quite a lot of problems and anxiety.
"We are living in fear of repercussions as if we come out to have a go at the kids causing havoc, we have been verbally abused, there's a lot of mouthing off and f-ings and blindings as well. We are in our seventies and retired and it's a lovely peaceful residential street."
He explained that he has seen groups of around 15 people enter the site at a time before. Tony added: "The gate got smashed a couple of weeks ago. There are signs telling you to keep out."
Tony said he rarely sees the owner at the site, and hopes it will be in new hands soon, as it would be nice to see it as a house or something other than a derelict building. He stated: "I don't think the owner is going to get much choice in what happens to that place as I've heard through the grapevine that Bassetlaw District Council is contemplating a Compulsory Purchase Order."
Technician Amber Parker, 26, of Worksop, lives close to the site and has also experienced issues. She said: "When I come out here I can hear them swearing and shouting, and at the bottom of the street they all congregate with their bikes and stuff.
"They are quite young. What worries me is if there are homeless people sleeping in there."
When asked how often there are problems, she replied: "probably every day." A couple in their fifties have also been experiencing problems and have had to call the police before.
A man stated: "There's been quite a lot of youngsters over the last three weeks, the police were called twice on the Sunday before last (Sunday, June 25). There was about 15 youngsters out there, boys and girls.
"When they run away they jump straight into the road or on the railway tracks." He explained that they have also seen adults trespassing, and some people have been entering and sharing photos on social media of all the stuff inside.
His wife added: "It's heart-breaking as there's still little mementos there. It's a very dangerous place at the moment and it's awful to think that the kids are going to get injured.
"Over the last five or six years we've seen very little there, except when he comes to mow the lawns." Bassetlaw District Council is working to secure the area to keep people off the site as the owner has "not taken appropriate action."
A Council spokesperson stated: "We are fencing the area off and erecting warning signage, as the owner has not taken appropriate action to secure the site. We will be looking to recoup all costs associated with securing the site from the owner.
“People should not visit the site or try to explore the area. Whilst the building itself is not classed as a dangerous structure, it is a fire damaged property and individuals entering it are potentially putting themselves at risk.”
Worksop South Sergeant Sarah Hagland, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are working hard as a neighbourhood policing team to tackle reports of antisocial behaviour (ASB) in our area. I understand some of our residents have concerns surrounding Sherwood Road, Worksop, and have made reports to us about ASB taking place in the area.
“This kind of criminal behaviour is entirely unacceptable and we fully understand the negative impact ASB can have on people’s lives. As the neighbourhood sergeant, I want to reassure the community in the area that we are investigating any crimes reported to us and are acting to deal with those responsible.
“We are carrying out regular targeted patrols to both provide that reassurance to our residents but also deter those causing a nuisance from committing crimes and using the tools available to us like CCTV to capture evidence to allow us to take action, where we can. We have also teamed up with the council and other partners working closely with them focussing on stopping the ASB in the area."
She continued: "To help us put a stop to ASB I want to ask anyone with any concerns to get in touch with us so we can identify those bringing misery to the community. We want to know when incidents take place and we want to help.”
Nottinghamshire Live has attempted to contact the owner of the site.
