A CRIME riddled Halesowen beauty spot which was forced to close following dog attacks, drug dealing and outdoor sexual activity will reopen next month, officials have confirmed.

Bosses at conservation charity Woodland Trust reluctantly made the decision to shut off Uffmoor Wood to the public in May as a result of a string of anti-social issues.

At the time of the closure, trust chiefs said the move was a temporary measure but did not rule it out as something permanent.

However, a spokesman for the trust said work has been ongoing to make the area safer and confirmed the wood is scheduled for a reopening in November – despite the area still being home to some anti-social behaviour.

Hollie Anderson, speaking for The Woodland Trust, said: “Uffmoor Wood will be reopening at the end of November.

“We’re very close to reopening but cannot say the exact date as of yet, as there is still some reports of anti-social behaviour in the area which we want to eradicate before we reopen.

“If we confirm a date and something happens to make us have to push it back we don’t want that to upset people.

“But it is definitely November that we’re aiming for - just in time for those long winter walks.”

Uffmoor, between Hagley and Halesowen, had become one of the trust’s most problematic sites and resulted with them being inundated with complaints on a weekly basis.

Site staff experienced the issues first hand, having been knocked to the ground by dogs at the wood and were subject to verbal abuse by people.

The worst offences include groups meeting for sex, drug abuse, dogs being attacked by other pets allowed off the leads, sheep killed on neighbouring land, dog fouling and the use of off road bikes.

Police have been called out on occasions, while posters and signs had been put up urging people to keep dogs on leads and use the woods responsibly.