A trolley was thrown from a multi-storey car park onto the glass roof of a Stourbridge shopping centre, with witnesses reporting that youths were 'laughing at the damage they were causing'.
The incident occurred at the Ryemarket Shopping Centre on Sunday afternoon, June 14, when individuals in the Dudley Council-owned Ryemarket multi-storey car park allegedly threw a trolley onto the centre's atrium roof, causing damage to several glazing panels.
No injuries were reported, but part of the shopping centre was closed off as a precaution while emergency contractors assessed and repaired the damage. The affected area remained isolated for a short time, with some adjacent retailers closing earlier than usual. The rest of the centre continued operating normally and reopened fully the following day.
Police Investigation
CCTV footage and other relevant evidence have been secured and passed to West Midlands Police, who are investigating the incident. A spokesperson for the force confirmed they were called at around 2.45pm on Sunday after a trolley was thrown through glass.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via live chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 20/285733/26.
Shopping Centre Response
A Ryemarket Shopping Centre spokesperson said: 'An incident occurred involving individuals within the adjoining council-operated multi-storey car park, which resulted in damage being caused to a number of glazing panels forming part of the shopping centre atrium roof.'
'As a precautionary measure, the affected area of the centre was immediately isolated and a small number of retailers located adjacent to the atrium closed slightly earlier than normal whilst the area was made safe.'
'Emergency contractors attended the site on Sunday evening to undertake immediate safety works and the shopping centre reopened as normal the following day.'
'The matter has been reported to West Midlands Police and we are assisting with their enquiries.'
BirminghamLive has also contacted Dudley Council for comment.
