Parents are being warned about a dangerous new trend among young people as schools prepare to break up for the summer holidays. Videos tagged #urbex (urban exploring) have racked up more than 13.7 billion views on TikTok, encouraging youngsters to jump on a dangerous urban exploring trend.
TikTok videos show under-18s exploring power plants, slaughterhouses, care facilities and derelict factories across the north west. The Liverpool ECHO recently reported that gangs of youths allegedly vandalised a disused university campus and threw debris into the street.
Fire Service Warning on Asbestos Risks
Following the rise in urban exploring, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning about the unsuspecting dangers. The service said there is "no safe way to investigate an asbestos factory". Disturbed asbestos fibres can enter the lungs and remain trapped indefinitely, it added.
Merseyside Police also urged parents to talk to their children about the dangers after a rise in trespassing incidents in Southport.
Vandalism and Fires Linked to Trespassing
Leading European temporary security specialist VPS, which protects thousands of vacant and occupied properties across the UK, claimed that rather than simply exploring, increasing numbers of younger trespassers are vandalising properties or setting them alight. Trespass incidents on derelict sites and vacant buildings are said to be spiking during the summer months every year once the school term ends.
VPS' insights director, José Rosa, said: "Over 30 billion combined views of urban exploration content on TikTok alone, and a significant proportion of that audience is under 18. What’s changed is that social media doesn’t just reflect this trend, it actively drives it: a video posted today can send a group of teenagers to a specific derelict site tomorrow. That’s a new level of risk that property owners and site managers have to take seriously."
He added: "A hashtag doesn’t warn a child about the hidden risks such as a collapsing floor, live electrics or asbestos. Every summer we see a spike in young people climbing into buildings that were never made safe for entry, and this year the online pull is stronger than ever. Property owners have a duty of care, and securing a site properly isn’t optional, it’s essential."
