Southport Police Plead with Parents to Warn Children about Derelict Building Dangers

Officers in Southport are urging parents to warn their children about the dangers of going into derelict buildings during the summer holidays.

In the last few weeks there have been reports of youths going into derelict and empty buildings which can be unsafe structures inside and usually in a state of disrepair.

Yesterday, Wednesday 30 July, there were two incidents of trespass – at the property above the Sandgrounder Fish and chip shop on Neville Street and the old nightclub at Victoria Health and Leisure on the promenade which is dilapidated and unsafe.

There have also been reports of youths unlawfully entering Hesketh Centre on Albert Road which is fire damaged.

Community Inspector Graham Fisher said: “I must stress that breaking in to a building could amount to a criminal offence, and also they are putting themselves at self at risk of being seriously injured.

“The Hesketh Centre is a case in point where it is in a dangerous condition as a result of a fire, so it is unsafe for anyone to enter and they could easily become seriously injured by the damaged building.

“Again, the Victoria Health and Leisure building is also is unsafe and no unauthorised person should enter it. I must emphasise that anyone entering it, is doing so at their own peril as floorboards are missing upstairs so someone could fall through and potentially cause serious injury or fatal consequences. This building is now secure again.

“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 their summer holidays, but to highlight the dangers and ensure that your child doesn’t end up a casualty and spend the rest of their summer holidays recovering from the injury, 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.”

Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via our website:https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/or call 101 .

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here:https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymouslyIn an emergency always call 999.