Gangs of anti-social youths scaring staff and customers at Blackheath Library

Groups of youngsters have been targeting the library on High Street.

They have been being disruptive, scaring staff and customers with intimidating behaviour which has also seen them throw around leaflets.

Sandwell Council said it had put a security guard on the door to stop gangs of youths getting into the library and is working "to find a solution to the problem to ensure the safety of visitors and our staff members.”

Councillor Wasim Ali, cabinet member for resources and finance, said: “We have had several instances where groups of young people have caused problems for our staff with unacceptable disruptive anti-social behaviour.

“They have entered the library and intimidated staff and customers in incidents where leaflets have been thrown around.

“We have not closed the library, but we do have security on the doors in the afternoons when this type of disruption usually occurs.

“The council’s anti-social behaviour team is working on finding a solution to the problem to ensure the safety of visitors and our staff members.”

The youths are thought to be local school pupils.

Blackheath councillor Kerrie Carmichael said on her Facebook page: "The library staff have displayed notices and will inform customers in the library.

"The library are working with the ASB team and the local police."

The library is set to be transformed into a 'one stop shop' for residents to access council services all under one roof - in a move which has saved the building's future.

The hub is expected to be open by the summer.

The council did a deal with library owner Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) after it put the building up for sale - and is swapping four parcels of land in exchange for the library.

The library is open 9.30am till 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and from 9.30am till 5pm on Fridays and from 10am till 4pm on Saturdays. Its opening hours have not been affected by the incidents.