Construction crews abused at Black Country demolition site
Workers have been abused after telling spectators to move away from a demolition site in the Black Country.
People have been flouting Government guidelines by turning up to watch the demolition of Cavendish House, in Dudley.
In some cases, West Midlands Police has been called after members of the public have refused instructions to leave.
Council bosses say this has presented a real problem to workers and branded the actions "unacceptable."
Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley said: "We have had issues over the past week with people turning up at the Cavendish House site to watch the ongoing demolition works.
“Obviously this goes against current government guidance to only leave home for essential journeys.
"As a result visitors are being asked to move on and, in some cases, abusing workers when asked to do so.
"We have had to involve the police in other instances where people have refused to leave the site.
"This is completely unacceptable. I fully appreciate this is a historic moment for Dudley and something people have been waiting to see for a long time, but I respectfully ask residents to stay away from the site and let the workers there do their jobs.
"We will be able to release pictures and videos to show the demolition when it is completed for all to see, signalling a brighter post Covid-19 future for Dudley borough.
"In the meantime please, stay home, protect our NHS, and save lives."
A spokesman for West Midlands Police added: "Neighbourhood team officers have been actively working together with Dudley Council teams throughout the demolition of Cavendish House to play our part in helping prevent crime."
Despite the Government lockdown, work to demolish Cavendish House has continued amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Work begin a few weeks ago and most of the building has been demolished. It has been taken down brick by brick rather than a full scale implosion.
The office block was an eyesore on Dudley's landscape for years. Its removal will help pave the way for a regeneration of Dudley town centre.
In its wake, plans are in place to build an £82 million retail and housing scheme.
