POLICE are growing concerned about the number of youths hanging out in the derelict buildings on the Tonedale Mills site.

Members of Wellington Town Council were told at their latest meeting that police have received a growing number of calls reporting problems with young people getting onto the Fox’s Mill site in Tonedale.

On August 10 there were reports of up to 15 youths in the buildings, another group of four were found there on August 18 and then four days later police were alerted to a group of five inside the site.

But PCSO Steve Hill said: “By the time we get there they have gone and we aren’t going into the buildings because of the personal safety issues.”

Deputy Mayor Cllr Mark Lithgow said the derelict buildings were the attraction for young people but could understand why police officers did not go into them because of the health and safety implications.

Sharon Baker, Wellington police’s partnership support officer, said: “We need to have a long-term plan moving forward with this in view of safety.”

The origins of the former Fox Bros mill at Tonedale date back to 1772 but by 1992 it ceased production with the decline in Britain’s woollen industry and all that remains are empty buildings which have fallen into disrepair.

Over the past 20 years a number of owners have bought and sold the site but it remains derelict.

Wellington Mills CIC wants to attract suitable developers to take on the 11-acre site and bring it back into use.

But in the meantime with the buildings left derelict they are an ‘attractive playground’ for youths who manage to get inside despite the site being sealed off.