Police clear anti-social youths from derelict site

Officers targeted the old Eastmoor approved school in Tile Lane, Adel, after several incidents

Groups of as many as 30 youths were meeting at the site, after gatherings were apparently arranged on the internet.

The appeal was such that local youths were being joined others from areas including Meanwood and Bramley. Residents living nearby were threatened and fences were damaged.

Last week, officers warned the youths to stay away from the site and patrolled the area as part of a "zero tolerance"' approach to the problems.

The operation was backed by local residents, one of whom provided a community building for the officers to use as a base.

More than 40 youths were stopped and warned about the risks of going to the site. Names and addresses were recorded before they were moved on and alcohol was confiscated from one youth.

Yesterday, Sergeant Neil Matthews said: "It is worth highlighting that none of the youths we encountered were found to be committing any criminal offences and we don't believe they are the same ones that have been responsible for the loutish and intimidating behaviour there has been over the previous two weekends.

"It appears some of them are attending out of curiosity but we have warned them, in no uncertain terms, to stay away from the area.

"If others go there to cause trouble they risk getting caught up in that, plus the dangerous state of the derelict buildings means that anyone entering them is putting themselves at risk of death or serious injury," he added.