Castle remains secure after reports of damage to door
TAMWORTH Castle remains “secure” after a “false alarm” alert over damage to the main front door.
A Staffordshire Smart Alert was sent out early on Monday morning stating the steel bar across the door had been “hit with such force the steel had twisted”.
The incident was reported to police who sent out the alert however upon closer inspection there were “no signs to suggest an attempted forced entry including no damage to the outside of the door”.
The original alert issued by PCSO Rob Mason read: “Between the hours of 10.15pm on 2nd December to 9,15am on 3rd December the main front door of Tamworth Castle has been damaged by an unknown offender.
“Staff have stated that the steel bar across the door had been hit with such force the steel had twisted.
“If anyone was in the vicinity and can provide any relevant information then please contact Staffordshire
Police on 101 or via the online form or Live Chat at www.staffordshire. police.uk quoting incident 042 of 04/12/2023.”
Upon receiving the alert ourselves, the Herald contacted Tamworth Borough Council to ask for a comment and enquire whether the damage would affect any of the recent improvement works to the building or upcoming festive events.
However Councillor Paul Thompson, portfolio holder for town centre and commercial property, was keen to reassure readers.
He said: “On Sunday morning the Castle duty manager arrived in the morning to find what appeared to be a forced entry attempt to the castle main front door. This was therefore reported to Staffordshire Police.
“On further investigation on Monday, there are no signs to suggest an attempted forced entry including no damage to the outside of the door. We can confirm that the castle remains secure.”
We then asked about the confusion and a spokesperson explained: “They don’t believe it was a break in attempt now. The duty manager saw a twisted bar and assumed, but on further inspection and when repaired, there was no further evidence to suggest it was deliberate.”
Tamworth’s historic Castle has been the recipient of important improvement works in recent weeks.
The works, originally due to complete in September, delivered essential conservation repairs including the external curtain wall, west rampart including iron railings, part south elevation of the north range, part north and west elevations of the south range and reroofing of the passageway to the staffroom.
Contractors Midlands Conservation Ltd repaired and restored the curtain wall, replacing coping stones and repairing the balustrade for the parapet.
The chimney on the back of the Great Hall has been rebuilt and repointed as well as a further stack adjoining the curtain wall.