Anti-social behaviour in your area

Dear Resident,

Police in Stevenage are warning children and young people to stay out of abandoned buildings, following a number of recent reports involving youths entering derelict buildings across the town.

Abandoned and derelict sites often appear exciting or mysterious, but they can present serious hidden dangers, including:

• Unstable floors and staircases that can collapse without warning • Broken glass, sharp metal and hazardous materials • Exposed electrical wiring • Unsafe roofs and structures weakened by age or weather • Biological hazards such as asbestos and stagnant water • The risk of getting trapped in confined or unsecured areas

Neighbourhood Inspector Will Rogers Overy said:

“Urban exploration has grown in popularity in recent years and we know that young people are often curious about derelict and abandoned buildings, but these sites are not safe.

“They are unpredictable environments where serious injuries can happen in seconds. We’re asking parents and carers to speak openly with their children about the risks and to make sure they understand that entering these buildings is both unsafe and illegal.

“Anyone entering enclosed land or buildings without lawful authority may be committing an offence under the Vagrancy Act. Those entering premises (including abandoned ones) with the intention of causing damage or stealing, are liable to face more serious charges of burglary.”

Parents, carers and schools/colleges are encouraged to:

• Talk to children/young people about the dangers of exploring derelict sites • Know where their children are spending time after school and at weekends • Report dangerous, unsecured buildings to the local authority

If you have any information you would like to share with your local officers, including detail on what you've seen or what time and where it has been happening, please take the time to complete this short survey:

Please click here to complete the survey

Local officers are regularly patrolling the streets in your area - on foot, in marked Police cars and in unmarked cars.

If you are able to report to police at the time the ASB is happening, please ring 101 or report through the online portal here, or ring 999 if it is an emergency.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.