Youngsters breaking into garden centre during lockdown

YOUNGSTERS have been breaking into a garden centre in Coventry during lockdown - and could face prosecution if caught.

Police say a “group of young people” are using the closed garden centre off Brownshill Green Road as a “place to congregate” and are flouting Covid-19 lockdown rules in the process.

It is believed that they are cutting through from Coundon Hall Park to gain access to the site and officers say they are working to identify those involved.

Parents are being urged to ensure their children are adhering to the rules and are staying safe.

An alert was sent out by the Radford, Holbrooks, Bablake and Sherbourne policing team, with PCSO Lucie Harriman saying: “We have recently received reports of a group of young people gaining access to the garden centre off Brownshill Green Road and using it as a place to congregate.

“They are gaining access via Coundon Hall Park and through the wooded area.

“Such behaviour is not only a breach of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, but unauthorised access to the site and damage to property could also amount to other criminal offences, such as burglary or criminal damage.

“The local policing team are working with the garden centre to identify the perpetrators and prevent this from continuing. If necessary, we may also prosecute those responsible. We urge parents and carers to adhere to the rules set by the Government and keep their children and teenagers at home and safe during this time.”