Neighbourhood officers are urging parents to warn their children about the dangers of going into derelict buildings.
In the last few weeks there have been reports of children going into the former Debenhams site in Nottingham city centre and accessing the roof top (pictured top right).
Officers have attended a number of incidents and issued multiple Section 35 dispersal orders excluding youngsters from the area for a defined period.
Children as young as ten have subsequently been taken home in a police car and issued with a community resolution order.
Chief Inspector Kylie Davies, who oversees neighbourhood policing in Nottingham city centre, urged parents to speak to the children about the dangers of breaking into derelict sites.
She said:
“Derelict and empty buildings often have unsafe structures inside and usually in a state of disrepair.
“Therefore it is important to stress that anyone who breaks into a disused building is putting themselves at self at risk of being seriously injured.
“The former Debenhams building is a case in point. In recent weeks, we have seen youths gain access to the site and climb onto the roof.
“This is incredibly dangerous as the building is in a poor condition and has asbestos inside. There is broken glass, the floors are giving way and it is pitch black inside.
“We’ve had children climb onto the rooftop ledge and clearly that is extremely dangerous as well.
“With this I urge parents and guardians to please talk to your children about the dangers of entering empty and derelict buildings.
“This message isn’t to stop children from enjoying themselves, but to highlight the dangers and ensure that your child doesn’t end up a casualty, or even a fatality.
“I ask parents and carers to make sure that they know where their children are, and what they are doing. If they are spending hours away from home in the evenings and weekends, be aware of their movements, both for their own safety and the safety of others.”
Nottinghamshire Police is continuing to engage with the managing agents of the former Debenhams building over improving security at the site.
