Isle of Wight Police have not given up on the Ocean Hotel after the courts threw out legal action against its former owner.
Hampshire Constabulary said it will not stop its work to make sure the hotel, on Sandown Esplanade, is properly secured.
Plagued by anti-social behaviour
The eyesore property has been plagued by anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the force has been trying to tackle that and associated criminality.
Operation Spider was launched earlier this year and is a wider project to tackle ASB in the Bay area.
Last month, two young boys were removed from the abandoned hotel by police after breaking glass and throwing things out of the windows onto Sandown High Street and Esplanade.
Community Protection Notice issued
To combat this type of behaviour, earlier this year Hampshire Constabulary joined the Isle of Wight council in taking legal action against the owners of the hotel at the time, Phoenix Commercial Property Developments (PCPD).
It issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) to PCPD calling for them to secure the building by installing fencing, CCTV and boarding up all the access points.
The case reached the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ court last month where it was alleged former PCPD director Stephen Purvis failed to comply with the CPN.
Case dropped
However, this week the legal case has been dropped by the courts as he is no longer a director of PCPD.
Following the news, the South Wight Neighbourhood Policing Team wants to reassure the public the latest development would not stop its work to tackle ASB and ensure the hotel is secure.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said the team remain committed to driving the work forward and will continue to liaise with the current owners to make sure that happens.
PCPD sold freehold ownership
PCPD has sold on its freehold ownership of the Ocean Hotel to another company and has said it has nothing to do with the property anymore.
It also said in a press statement it has walked away from the Isle of Wight.
Police say the community will be updated when things progress.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
