THE doors of a police station have been damaged as officers seek to arrest the pensioner they say is responsible for the attack after he failed to turn up at court.

Wooden panels have been placed over the broken glass at the automatic doors at the main entrance to Worcester Police Station in Castle Street.

We have reported recently how the front counter has been closed to the public with the doors locked but it is not clear at this stage whether this was a factor in the incident. 

Worcester News: SMASHED: A closer look at the broken glass door at Worcester Police Station SMASHED: A closer look at the broken glass door at Worcester Police Station (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Frontline police officers rather than civilian staff have sometimes been manning the counter when it has been open, including on Wednesday. 

A man was due in court on Thursday following alleged criminal damage to the front door of Worcester Police Station on June 23. However, he did not attend the hearing at Worcester Magistrates Court and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

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A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “A 69-year-old man from Worcester was charged with criminal damage in relation to damage caused to Worcester Police Station on Castle Street on June 23.

“Antony Drake of Edgeworth Close, Worcester was due to appear at court yesterday (Thursday 13 July) but failed to attend. A warrant is now out for Drake’s arrest and anyone who knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact police immediately.”

We reported how the front counter of Worcester Police Station was due to close for three consecutive days - May 23 to 25.

After the Worcester News made enquiries with the press office last time, we understand a PCSO was asked to man the counter from around 2pm on May 23, allowing it to reopen.

However, it had been closed throughout the morning.

We reported in March how a similar sign appeared on the window of the station's front entrance, informing the public that the counter would be closed on Thursday, March 16.

The message contained an apology 'for any inconvenience this may cause'.

The front counter is used by people who wish to report a crime, by vulnerable people who are unable to use mobile devices (including those who may be the victims of domestic violence) and for sex offenders to register.

The temporary closure meant the nearest police station providing a front counter service was either Redditch or Kidderminster.

Ordinarily, the front counter is open between 8am and 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday and Bank Holidays.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said on the last occasion that it was committed to providing front counters.

They added: "It is our absolute priority to ensure the public can contact us when they need to. For those with online access non urgent matters can be reported via our website www.westmercia.police.uk"