Northampton warning over derelict building risks

Residents in Northampton are being urged to stay away from vacant and derelict buildings after local agencies warned that “urban exploring” can lead to serious injury, prosecution or emergency rescues.

West Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service issued the warning after a rise in people, particularly young people, entering closed or unsafe buildings in Northampton town centre and posting videos of the activity on TikTok.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity around vacant properties is being asked to report it to Northamptonshire Police on 101 or online. In an emergency, call 999.

Vacant town centre buildings carry hidden hazards

The warning covers vacant and derelict sites across Northampton town centre, where buildings may look accessible from the outside but remain dangerous inside.

Officials say the risks include unstable floors, exposed drops, unsafe structures, live electrical systems and hazards that may not be obvious until someone is already inside. Some buildings may also contain damaged stairwells, weak surfaces or dark areas where a fall could happen quickly.

For emergency crews, a rescue inside a derelict building can also be difficult and dangerous. Firefighters, police officers and paramedics may have to enter unsafe structures to reach someone who is trapped, injured or unable to get out.

Social media videos are increasing concern

The agencies said there is growing concern that videos showing urban exploring locations are encouraging others to visit the same places.

Posts on platforms such as TikTok can turn a dangerous site into a destination, especially when comment sections include requests for directions or advice on how to get inside. That can spread risk beyond the original group and draw more young people into buildings that have not been assessed for public access.

Parents and carers may want to check whether young people are following local urban exploring accounts, saving location clips or discussing entry points in private messages. A practical conversation about what could happen inside an unsafe building may be more useful than focusing only on the social media post itself.

Unauthorised entry can lead to fines or prosecution

Entering a building without permission can be a criminal offence and may result in prosecution.

In some parts of Northampton, people may also breach a Public Spaces Protection Order, known as a PSPO. These orders are used to address antisocial behaviour and can prohibit unauthorised access in specific areas.

A breach of a PSPO may lead to enforcement action, including fines or prosecution. The legal risk applies even if the person says they entered only to film, explore or take photographs.

For businesses and property owners, repeated unlawful entry can mean damage, theft, insurance problems and extra costs to secure a building. For nearby residents, it can also bring noise, antisocial behaviour and repeated emergency callouts.

What families and residents can do now

The safest advice is simple: do not enter closed, vacant or derelict buildings, and do not share directions or entry tips online.

Young people should be reminded that a building can be dangerous even if others have already filmed inside it. A video does not show every weak floor, exposed drop or live electrical risk, and conditions inside empty buildings can change quickly.

Residents and businesses can help by reporting suspicious activity early, especially if people are seen climbing fences, forcing access, entering through broken doors or gathering repeatedly near a vacant site.

How to report suspicious activity in Northampton

Suspicious activity at vacant properties should be reported to Northamptonshire Police on 101 or through the force’s online reporting service.

Call 999 if someone is injured, trapped, in immediate danger or if a break-in is happening at the time.

When reporting, useful details include the location, time, number of people involved, what they were doing, any vehicles nearby and whether the building appears to have been damaged or entered.

Source: West Northamptonshire Council