THE disused Underwood leisure centre is a ‘danger’ to the youngsters who enter it, Gwent Police are warning.

Underwood Leisure Centre in Llanmartin has been out of use since 2013. Since its closure the former leisure centre has fallen into serious disrepair and is posing a danger to those who enter it.

Gwent Police officers are warning of the dangerous risks the building poses after receiving reports of local young people entering this insecure building.

CSO Dan Morgan said: “The structure is no longer stable and parts of the building have started to fall down.

“There are also exposed wires and even though the electricity has been cut off, they can still pose a risk to people that touch them.

“The building also contains rotting food which poses a high health risk.

“We’re urging all local young people to stay away from this leisure centre and also asking all parents to warn their children about the dangers of entering disused, derelict buildings.”

The centre, which closed on April 1, 2013, was proposed as part of the cuts to the 2012/13 Newport council budget. Newport Council, in common with most authorities in the UK, faced having to make significant budget cuts in 2013/14 with the authority needing to save £8.4 million. Some 1,700 people signed a petition to protest the move which was expected to save the authority £58,000. A total of 1,000 letters were also written to the authority while a plan was proposed for the centre to be given to a trust with volunteers using it as a community hub. But Newport council said the centre had a number of major structural problems and that usage was low compared to other sport and leisure facilities.

Conservative councillor Martyn Kellaway for the Llanwern ward said the centre was a loss to the community.

“To be honest it is a direct result of the council cuts,” he said of the closure.

“We have searched for funding to try to buy it but it was unsuccessful so we hope the new owner might invest a little bit of money to use it.

“The auction will take place on March 2.

“I would encourage everybody to stay clear of it.”