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Senseless: Resident Syed Ahmed is worried about vandalism at the former Sladen Middle School building.

TAXPAYERS are having to foot the bill to protect a former school building from vandals.

Damage to the former Sladen CE Middle School building in Kidderminster includes the smashing of all the ground floor windows and the site is also being used as a rubbish dump.

The school has been shut since the Wyre Forest Schools Review education shake-up, which saw the closure of all the district's middle schools last year and a move from three-tier to two-tier schooling.

Stephen Clee, Conservative Wyre Forest district councillor, cabinet member for planning, regeneration and prosperity, inspected the site after being informed of the problem by a concerned resident.

Mr Clee said the temporary fencing around the site had now been strengthened while an external security agency was checking the former school's grounds three times a day.

He added: "I am absolutely appalled that the taxpayers of Wyre Forest are having to spend so much money on protecting a former school building from these yobs."

Indian takeaway owner Syed Ahmed, of Hurcott Road, contacted Mr Clee after witnessing the activities of the teenage vandals congregating at the site.

He said they recently smashed through the school's dining room window with a wooden bench.

Mr Ahmed said: "I'm a neighbour. The fact that these kids can get into the school building means it is easy for them to get into my property. I'm worried about them vandalising or breaking into my home."

He explained: "The building has been targeted now and the kids are coming on a regular basis. My family is scared of what might happen. They could set fire to the building next."

Mr Syed added: "It used to be such a beautiful school and now it is an eyesore. It is going to cost the council a lot of money to get everything fixed."

Mr Clee accepted vandals could still access the site by using a public footpath to get through to the playing fields.

He added: "We have put in eight foot high metal fencing but if people really want to get in they will."

Mr Clee explained negotiations were currently underway to use the building as a learning centre in association with Kidderminster College.

He added any damage would have to be rectified with the taxpayer again footing the bill.

3:43pm Friday 28th March 2008

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