POLICE have urged people with video and pictures of goings on at The Crooked House to share images and information with officers after footage emerged showing a digger in action and the pub later reduced to rubble.
Staffordshire Police said the force has been progressing a number of lines of enquiry, alongside South Staffordshire Council, since Saturday’s severe fire and following news of the subsequent demolition of what was left of the pub on Monday (August 8).
Locals and people across the country have been left in disbelief that the famed pub has been razed to the ground since word began to spread that the iconic historic boozer had been bulldozed just two days after it was gutted by fire on Saturday, and only days after its sale to new owners was confirmed.
A number of people scrambled into the site to see for themselves the ruins of the legendary leaning pub which had been a popular tourist attraction.
Among them was Paul McCaughtrie, who said he wanted to take a last look – having had fond memories of outings there.
After taking a video of the remains of the much-loved pub where he'd spent happy times, he told the News: “I always visited with friends and family and did in March 2022 with that being the last time with my friend.
“I just wanted to see it for myself really and as it's only 15 minutes from my workplace I just decided to go along and see after I finished work.
“I just find it all unbelievable and a sad end to a beautiful building.”
Andy Cashmore also shared a series of striking images showing the devastation which was captured on camera at around 5.30pm on Monday.
Another woman who did not wish to be named managed to get a glimpse of the remains of the building, which was filmed being knocked down by a mechanical digger on Monday afternoon.
A security guard has reportedly been keeping onlookers away from the site – telling curious visitors the site is now privately owned and the public must stay away.
Members of the public, however, say they have been denied access to a public right of way.
Staffordshire Police said they understand members of the community have a “vested interest” in what’s happened and the “strong emotional attachment” some people have to the historic site.
And Chief Inspector Chris Cotton urged anyone with any information, particularly footage from the area over the last few days or prior to the incident, to get in touch with officers by calling 101, quoting incident 761 of August 5, or via Live Chat on the force website.
People can also report information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Meanwhile, a petition has been started on Change.org calling for a public inquiry into the destruction of the beloved pub, also known as The Glynne Arms.
Kevin Goodman started the petition and said: “An open public inquiry must be held into the burning and destruction of this remarkable building.
“The loss of this building is a major blow to the historical heritage of the Black Country, a building which had national and international renown.”
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