TikTok urban exploring trend leads to warning

Residents have been warned about serious dangers and legal consequences of urban exploring after the rise of a TikTok trend of visiting vacant buildings.

West Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said there has been an increase in young people visiting derelict buildings.

They said unlawfully entering closed or unsafe buildings and sharing videos of their activities on social media platforms could present a real risk of serious injury or even death.

Charlie Hastie, cabinet member for housing and communities at the council, said: "While urban exploring may appear exciting, the reality is that these buildings are extremely dangerous and often structurally unsound."

Urban exploring and posting about it on social media has been a trend for several years.

The new wave has been taken over by children inspired by the popularity of the genre on TikTok.

A spokesperson from West Northamptonshire Council said: "Online comment sections often include requests for directions or tips on how to gain entry, further increasing the risk to more people.

"Entering these buildings without permission is a criminal offence and may result in prosecution.

"In some areas, individuals may also be breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which is in place to address antisocial behaviour and prohibits unauthorised access."

In 2019, hundreds of checks on sewers were carried out to combat urban exploring, after four teenagers became trapped underground, a water company said.

The boys, all aged 16, were pulled from a manhole in Northampton after getting lost.

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