Call to parents: Breaking into derelict sites could end in a child's death

POLICE WARNING AS 'URBAN EXPLORERS' RETURN

- By LOUIS CORBETT

Debenhams roof on Saturday

AN “incredibly dangerous” new trend has taken over on Nottingham's TikTok scene, with brazen youths using stealth tactics to get into derelict buildings.

Several TikTok users - including youths and urban explorers - have taken huge risks to scale notable buildings, including the former Debenhams store, the Guildhall, Clarendon Chambers, the rooftop of Primark, the city’s former Central Library, and the Broadmarsh Centre - all in the name of “urban exploration” or “Urbex”.

Police are urging parents to warn their children about the dangers of entering derelict buildings after a number of incidents where children were reported to have broken into the former Debenhams in Long Row.

Officers were called there on Saturday, resulting in three boys aged 10 to 12 being detained, and issued dispersal orders, banning them from the city centre.

That incident came after it was reported that a group of youths attempted and failed to get into the derelict Broadmarsh Centre site - currently being demolished - on Monday.