Protesters block road near Crooked House pub site after diggers spotted moving bricks
Protesters blocked the entrance to the site of the former Crooked House pub near Dudley after lorries were seen moving rubble at the site.
Earlier today, locals told ITV News there were diggers at the site, before reporting bricks were being taken away from the location - though workers on site say nothing has been removed from the site.
There are now protesters gathering, with some blocking the road, stopping lorries from leaving the site.
In a statement this afternoon, South Staffordshire Council confirmed any removal of debris was not their work.
A spokesperson said; "The council is aware of a contractor onsite and is engaging with the site owners and contractors to investigate what works are taking place. We are still currently ascertaining all the facts so cannot comment any further on this specific matter.
"The council is still investigating the full incident and formalising next steps and we cannot comment on any element of the ongoing investigation, so that we do not potentially prejudice our enforcement action. We will provide updates on our website as soon as we are able."
At the location, workers told people gathering that they were instructed to be there by the Health and Safety Executive.
They said they there to make the site safe, to stop the public from getting onto a site that was unsafe, and to check for contaminants.
When asked if bricks were being removed, they said the bricks were being put onto pallets and kept on site for the moment.
The Health and Safety Executive told ITV News; "We have been in contact with those responsible for the site."
Local MP Marco Longhi, whose Dudley North constituency sits next to the Crooked House site, visited the location to try to clarify matters. He told ITV News that locals became concerned after seeing diggers on the site disturbing the rubble.
Staffordshire Police said they were aware of a small protest at Himley, and officers are at the site as a precaution and to reassure the community.
The force added that that they continue to investigate an alleged arson attack at the Crooked House pub, with a CCTV trawl, forensics and witness accounts still being worked through.
Campaigners have passionately voiced their desire to have the pub rebuilt at the site, since the pub was burned down in a fire on 5 August.
The West Midlands Mayor also backed the calls, pushing for it to be re-built "brick-by-brick".
The building was demolished just two days after the fire, which South Staffordshire Council said was done without permission.
Staffordshire Police confirmed they were treating the fire as arson, but no arrests have been made.
Marco Longhi, the MP for Dudley North, which neighbours the location of the former pub, called for a change in the law to protect heritage buildings, when he held a public meeting for people to discuss what had happened.