A DERELICT office block which had become a magnet for rough sleepers, anti-social behaviour and drug taking in recent years is finally being knocked down.

Demolition crews have finally moved onto the site of the former St John’s House building, to clear the area for flats - which were approved by the Borough of Poole (BOP) last year.

Site workers said a number of passers-by had told them ‘it was about time the eyesore building was finally torn down’. And the Echo witnessed residents cheering as the walls of the dated block came crashing down.

In August the council confirmed work to start clearing the site, at Serpentine Road, had commenced, but at that point no demolition date had been set.

This week a powerful mechanical digger started tearing the structure down, section by section.

The Echo understands the inside of the building, which was checked as part of the clearance operation, had been littered with drugs paraphernalia such as used needles.

BOP safer communities manager Ian Cooke said: “We are aware that the owner of St John’s House has started demolition works on the site.

“The building has previously been subject to closure orders due to popularity with rough sleepers and anti-social behaviour, and we would advise anyone thinking of entering the building or surrounding site that this area is not safe and access is not permitted.”

Demolition is likely to take several weeks, and there will be security on site throughout to deter anyone trying to get back in. In February the council obtained a three-month court order effectively banning anyone from entering the building - be it rough sleepers or thrill-seeking young people.

It was the second court order the council had obtained to prevent entry to the building.

The order prohibited unauthorised entry into the property, and anyone ignoring the direction commits a criminal offence.

In March two teenagers had a lucky escape after a fire started in the building while the pair were inside taking part in the urban explorer craze.

Multiple fire crews and paramedics were sent to the scene and the two teens had to be treated for smoke inhalation and shock at the scene.

St John’s House has been vacant for more than two years – ever since the borough’s transportation services moved back to the Civic Centre.

ESRG Developments Ltd want to demolish the building and the former HMRC offices nearby, to make way for the complex made up of a part 12-storey/part 14-storey block with 203 residential apartments.

This will offer 58 studio apartments, 92 one-bedroomed flats, 49 two-bedroomed and four three-bedroomed homes.

Plans also include a residents’ fitness suite, a 90-space car park, roof garden and bicycle storage.