Car park closure order obtained over drug issues

West Midlands Police said it has been granted a closure order for a multi-storey city centre car park following claims of persistent drug taking and dealing.

The Belgrade Plaza car park in Coventry has been closed since April, after operator National Car parks (NCP) went into administration.

Police said that as well as drug issues, there has also been a rise in reports of trespass and threatening behaviour.

"By obtaining a closure order we are aiming to reduce drug use, trespassing and threatening behaviour in the car park. Antisocial behaviour has no place in our city centre," Insp Maria Perrin said.

The force said the closure order, which lasts three months but can be extended to six months, was the last resort.

It was issued using powers under Section 80 of the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Police Act 2014.

If someone is found guilty of breaching the order, they could be jailed for a maximum of 51 weeks, depending on the seriousness of the offence, and be handed an unlimited financial penalty.

In July, the BBC discovered that the 1,000-space structure was still being used by drivers to park their cars, two months after the site had been officially closed.

The city council said the entrance to the site had been closed, which included the slip road from the ring road roundabout to the car park.

However, the exit will remain open for a limited time so people who have parked there can retrieve their vehicles, which the council said should be done as soon as possible.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.