Uffmoor Wood to open by the end of the year after 'sex, dog attacks and drug dealing' claims

Uffmoor Wood, near Halesowen, was shut in May by The Woodland Trust as a 'last resort'.

The move followed a spate of problems that had also included off-road bikes ripping through the area, irresponsible dog owners allowing their pets to foul the bluebell wood and people meeting for sex.

However, trust bosses now say that the area will be made 'safer and more secure' for its reopening in either October or November.

The area has been overhauled in recent months with the removal of dens and new signage and fencing added.

Hollie Anderson, spokesperson for The Woodland Trust, said: "We are aiming to have it reopened by the end of the year. There is still work to be done on the site, but the main thing is that we have given it time to breath.

"We need to make sure that the space is safe and more secure. We will do this by having more signage with policies of dog walking and also better patrols on anti-social behaviour.

"Following the woods closure, we have undertaken all routine annual work, and we’ve also been clearing unofficial dens, fly tipped waste, moving away windblown trees from the paths and mending breaches in the fencing.

"Other future improvements will involve some forestry work that will increase the openness and visibility on site from the highway, promoting confidence and security.

"We haven't set a firm opening date yet, we want the wood to be back to its best."

In June, bosses deemed the site as being unsafe, with reports continuing to be received about illegal activities.

But a Freedom of Information request (FOI) submitted by The Friends Of Uffmoor Woods revealed that only 28 reports of anti-social behaviour at the woodland had been reported to police since 2012.

Campaigners were angered by the closure of the popular spot, saying that they were 'gutted' that their 'happy place was out of bounds'.

Speaking at the time the woodland was closed off, West Mercia Police Chief Inspector Sharron Cannings said: “Officers have been working closely with the Woodland Trust following a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour at Uffmoor Wood.

“Officers have been regularly visiting the site on patrol."