Officers are warning those illegally accessing the former Chatterley Whitfield Mining Museum that they could not only face prosecution – but they are putting themselves are risk of serious injury.
Trespassers are being warned to stay away from a former mining site – located on the outskirts of Chell, Stoke-on-Trent – as officers have urged residents to report any suspicious activity around the facility.
Stoke-on-Trent North Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) has received reports of youths gaining entry to the former Chatterley Whitefield Mining Museum with some breaking-in to take photographs of the venue.
Sergeant Dave Henshall, of Stoke North NPT, said: “The trespassers need to understand the risks they are taking – they could suffer serious or even fatal injuries.
“While this facility was converted into a museum, it began as a mining site and therefore there are clear hazards. We have been made aware of youths gaining entry and groups going in to photograph it without any permission.
“The site is protected by fencing and CCTV and we are reviewing footage to identify those who are breaking in. This represents trespassing, and in some cases criminal damage, and those identified can face prosecution.
“Our local officers are sending out information on these dangers to local schools and I would ask for anyone who sees suspicious activity around this site to contact the police.”
The site is owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. A spokesman for the authority said: “The site is covered by extensive CCTV which is monitored 24 hours a day. We are working with Staffordshire Police to review this footage.”
Anyone with any information should message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter, call 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
