Over the last ten days, Officers from the Southport Local Policing Team have responded to a number of incidents where young people have entered derelict buildings and in some cases have climbed to the roof of the buildings.
On (Friday 23rd March) Officers were called to a an old warehouse on Tulketh Street where three young boys had climbed up towards the roof. On this occasion, the boys climbed down and ran off on arrival of the patrol.
Another incident tonight saw Officers having to move youths away from the derelict buildings at the junction of Balfour Road/Scarisbrick New Road.
Last weekend, four teenaged boys were reported as being on the roof of the Market Hall on Market Street. Those four boys have all now been identified. No criminal offences occurred at the time and, in conjunction with the property owners, an appropriate course of action was agreed with the parents of the boys, who agreed that the boys’ action was not acceptable and, potentially dangerous for them.
Of greatest concern was an incident where youths gained entry to the old casino building on Lord Street and managed to get up onto the roof. This building is particularly unsafe inside. In order to get to the teenagers, officers had to contact the owners of the building, who attended and were able to guide officers safely through the building. The boys did not have this information. By entering this building the boys not only endangered their own lives, they endangered the lives of the police officers and PCSO’s that had to attend. Their actions were reckless and the risk to officers was unacceptable. Again, at the request of the property owners no further action was taken, other than for the boys to be taken home or collected by parents.
Parents, make sure you know where your teenagers go when they go out, who they are with and what they are going to be doing. If you don’t know, you may find out when we come knocking at your door. What we can’t say is what news we may be coming to tell you.
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