Hertfordshire Constabulary has issued a warning to children and young people in Welwyn Garden City, urging them to stay away from abandoned buildings following a series of recent incidents.
The Welwyn Hatfield North Neighbourhood Policing Team has been responding to reports of youths accessing derelict sites within the town centre, specifically the former Shredded Wheat factory and the former Lloyd’s bank building. Sergeant Deane Brittain, who leads the local policing team, warned that these locations are highly unpredictable and present the potential for serious injury in a matter of seconds.
Authorities have highlighted several specific hazards inside these structures, including unstable floors, broken glass, sharp metal, asbestos, exposed electrical wiring, and pools of stagnant water. Officials are asking parents and carers to talk to their children about these dangers and to be mindful of their whereabouts after school and over the weekend. Residents are also encouraged to report any dangerous or unsecured buildings to the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.
Police also warned that entering these buildings without permission is a serious matter. Anyone who enters enclosed land or buildings without lawful authority may be committing an offence, and those who access the premises with the intent to cause damage or steal items could face charges for burglary. This warning is part of a wider effort by police across the county to address the risks associated with children entering abandoned sites.
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