Northamptonshire Police are asking parents and carers to warn young people about the dangers of urban exploring after a number of injuries.
The force said there have been several incidents recently involving young people entering derelict and unsafe buildings. On one occasion, a boy sustained a facial laceration and a broken arm after falling through a glass skylight. Another child broke their leg attempting to enter a closed area.
Police stated that these incidents are often resource-intensive, requiring all three emergency services to attend. An incident earlier this month saw a group on a roof in Northampton town centre, resulting in one young person falling and sustaining suspected breaks and fractures. The fire service used an aerial appliance to rescue two boys who could not get down.
In May, police, the county's fire service, and West Northamptonshire Council noted an increase in young people visiting derelict buildings and sharing videos on social media platforms like TikTok. Charlie Hastie, Reform UK cabinet member for housing and communities, said in May that while urban exploring may appear exciting, these buildings are often structurally unsound and extremely dangerous.
Scott Potter from Northampton's Neighbourhood Policing Team said that many derelict buildings are structurally unsound, contain hazards such as broken glass, exposed edges, and unstable flooring, and are not designed for public access. He urged parents, carers, and guardians to speak with young people about the risks and encourage them to consider the consequences before entering these sites.