Volunteers at a Dudley waters sports centre 'under siege' as youths 'riot' to enter site
Volunteers who run a Dudley water sports centre say they were held "under siege" during a mass "riot" involving up to 150 teenagers - with regular visitors now too "frightened" to attend.
Large groups of youths have been plaguing Dudley Watersports Centre at Netherton Reservoir on multiple occasions, with police called and thousands of pounds worth of damage caused.
The spot, which is also known as the Lodge Farm Reservoir and leased by the group from Dudley Council, offers its visitors a chance to swim in open water, host parties and use the various sporting equipment on offer.
However, volunteers say youths gathering there "make the place into a toilet" and "have no respect whatsoever".
It has been claimed that the individuals trespass on the land, with many reportedly doing so by jumping into the water from a nearby canal and swimming to the jetty.
On Friday, June 16, volunteers at the centre described being "under siege" after they discovered around 60 youths in the centre compound who they claim trespassed. The volunteers said they were forced to call the police as a result.
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of assault.
The situation has become so bad that regular users of the site are "cancelling their sessions until it's raining".
