Landmark decontaminated after 'defecation' reports

A city landmark has had to be decontaminated after reports of a person defecating and urinating on its front steps in anti-social behaviour targeted at staff.

The entrance to Shire Hall, Gloucester, has been hidden behind hoardings since October 2024, with signs saying "essential works in progress".

Concerns about the boarded-up entrance were raised at a council meeting on Wednesday night, with council chiefs quizzed on why they had been up for so long.

Finance and property cabinet member Lynden Stowe said the hoardings were put up to "maintain the safety" of staff and members of the public due to anti-social behaviour.

He explained a decontamination of the entire area had been completed after "defecation and urination issues on the front steps".

"This related to ongoing anti-social behaviour some of which was directed at Shire Hall reception staff and other members of the public," he said.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton asked Gloucestershire County Council leaders why the hoardings have been there for so long, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

In a written question he added: "Other than some cleaning, repointing and repairs to the display cabinets, which didn't need such hoardings, what has the county council discovered that would require these hoardings to be in place for months on end?"

"The replacement of the glass display cabinets was also completed along with the removal of the glass caused by this vandalism.

"It was felt appropriate at the time to erect the hoardings to maintain the safety of the public and members of staff."

He said they were due to undertake works to rewire defective lighting in the area and carry out stonework repairs, but asbestos had been discovered in the area.

"This remains encapsulated and totally safe but will need to be removed prior to carrying out works to replace this ceiling and services in the void above it.

The work to remove it is due to start mid-March, with other repairs and improvements also planned.

Mr Hilton added that he had been through the entrance many times during the past six months and has never seen anyone working there.

Mr Stowe replied that he did not have a date for them being taken down, but said officers were working on planning applications for the listed building so works could be finalised.