Young people are risking their lives entering abandoned buildings for social media, North East mum warns
Her daughter suffered three fractured vertebrae after falling through a glass roof in Newcastle, prompting renewed police warnings
Northumbria Police are urging parents to warn their children about the dangers of entering abandoned buildings for social media videos after two teenagers fell through glass roofs in Newcastle city centre.
In August, a 14-year-old girl suffered three fractured vertebrae after falling through a glass roof. She also sustained head and hand injuries, requiring surgery before continuing her recovery at home.
On Sunday, October 11, a 13-year-old boy fell five storeys through a hotel’s glass roof. He was rescued by emergency services and escaped serious injury.
Police have received several reports of young people entering disused shops, factories, schools, hotels and churches to film content for social media. Officers have attended multiple incidents, including cases involving children becoming stuck on rooftops.
The mother of the injured girl warned other teenagers against taking part in the trend, saying:
“My advice to any young person thinking of doing this kind of thing is don’t because it is extremely dangerous and worst scenario you could be killed.
“Although I knew my daughter was going into Newcastle city centre that day, I wasn’t aware that she was planning on going into a building she wasn’t meant to be in.
"She’s ended up with three fractured vertebrae and had to go undergo surgery on her hand too. She also had a bang to her head when she fell.
“Young people might think it’s a bit of harmless fun for views and likes on social media but that is not the case. Please remember that if you do go into these buildings then it’s likely that emergency services personnel could end up searching for you, so those officers could potentially be put in danger too.”
Ahead of the half-term break, Northumbria Police Inspector Karen Madge urged parents to speak to their children about the risks, warning that entering abandoned buildings could have life-changing consequences and put emergency responders in danger.
She said:
She said: “Teenagers may not realise it, but entering these kinds of buildings can have life-changing consequences.
“We have already had one teenage girl sustain serious back injuries following a fall at a building in Newcastle city centre back in August.
Insp Madge added: “We cannot emphasise enough how dangerous this type of behaviour is and there is a real concern that someone could be killed.
“Every time a person goes into a disused building, they are putting themselves and those around them in harm’s way.
“Added to that is the fact that it is illegal to trespass on private property and if you do so you could find yourself being prosecuted.
“Our message to parents and carers is if you do have teenagers or young people you are responsible for, please talk to them about where they’re going, what they’re doing and outline the risks involved.
“We don’t want to stop children enjoying themselves, but they should be doing so in a safe environment. Make the right choice and keep yourself safe.”
Police continue to urge young people to stay away from disused buildings and avoid taking unnecessary risks for social media content.