A PROPERTY company is defying council red tape to board up a town centre drugs den.

The Waterbridge Group plans to block off two floors of a derelict ten-storey office block in the centre of Middlesbrough with metal sheeting.

Cars parked around the base of the building are broken into almost daily, while staff at a neighbouring caf complain of intimidation and pilfering.

Police have told Waterbridge the empty office block is being used by shoplifters to store stolen goods.

Workers hired to make the building safe are refusing to clear out the interior because the floors are littered with hypodermic needles and squatters' bedding, it emerged last night.

Waterbridge's Ian Taylor said he was "staggered" to be told by Middlesbrough Borough Council that the company needs to apply for planning and building approval before sealing up the building, which is on the market.

A council spokesman said: "These procedures have to be gone through; we cannot override legal procedures.

"They are there for safety purposes. We realise he needs quick solutions and wants to progress matters."

Mr Taylor said: "I don't think they realise, if we don't put something in place, it may be a case of pulling a body out of there."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "We are well aware of the problems associated with Teesside House.

"Back in May, when we were first aware of squatters in the property, the police went into the building and evacuated several squatters and recovered some stolen property.

"We have been in touch with the Waterbridge group, who have assured us that by the end of next week, the bottom two floors of Teesside House will be boarded up."