yeh, that may be the problem with any of the council run pools around here bud, pollution, foreign otters, thievery, drunks and potheads we have them all lol. it is better over this side of wolves but further for you to travel.
i am hitting bells mill fishery at the mo but i am reliving my feeder days, just good fun as they have carp, tench, barbel, orfe, koi, roach, rudd and even gudgeon to about 4-5 oz but the carp pool has fish to 30s with koi and ghosts among them.
there are loads of fisheries here abouts and a quick play on G will find them for you.
best of luck, Jon