POLICE in the Forest of Dean are warning the public of the dangers of trespassing after incidents in Cinderford.

Over the past three months, there have been 11 reports of young people trespassing onto properties and in some instances causing damage to buildings, where fires are thought to have been started deliberately. The incidents occurred at two sites – a vehicle trader in Valley Road and a boxing club in Station Street.

Inspector Steve Chester, of Forest of Dean local policing, said: “We are warning the public of the dangers of trespassing onto property and attempting to cause damage.

"Not only does this have a big impact on the owners of these properties and surrounding buildings, the perpetrators are potentially putting themselves at risk of serious harm.

“This is thoughtless and completely unacceptable behaviour and will not be tolerated by police. I urge parents in the area to ensure they know of their children’s whereabouts, especially with the summer holidays coming up, before somebody gets hurt.”

The latest incident occurred on Tuesday (July 12) at around 5.30pm, where police received reports of trespassers at the site on Station Street. Officers attended and took the details of 11 youngsters believed to be involved. Enquiries are ongoing into this incident.