Police have been investigating a number of concerning recent incidents across the city centre
Louis Corbett Trainee Reporter
14:30, 04 Nov 2025Updated 14:32, 04 Nov 2025
A huge police presence was in place at Old Market Square following the Debenhams incident in July(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
A new ‘incredibly dangerous’ trend has taken over on Nottingham’s TikTok scene, involving brazen youths using stealth tactics to explore derelict buildings.
In recent weeks, several TikTok users – including youths and urban explorers – have taken extreme risks to climb to the top of notable buildings, including the Debenhams building, the Guildhall building, Clarendon Chambers, the rooftop of Primark, Nottingham’s former Central Library, and the Broadmarsh centre, all in the name of “urban exploration” – or “Urbex”.
Nottinghamshire Police have urged parents to warn their children about the dangers of entering derelict buildings, following a number of incidents where children were reported to have accessed the former Debenhams site in Long Row, Nottingham city centre.
Officers were called to the former Debenhams building on Saturday, November 1, resulting in three boys – aged 10 to 12 – being detained and issued dispersal orders, banning them from the city centre.
‘Ensure your child doesn’t end up a casualty, or even a fatality’
This comes after it was reported that a group of youths attempted and failed to access the derelict Broad Marsh site on Monday, November 3, which is currently undergoing demolition.
A group of four youths on the roof of the former Debenhams building (Image: Danni MacRae)
While the youths were unable to access the building due to the security in place, Nottinghamshire Live understands the construction site has been accessed by “urban explorers” before, with several videos having been posted to social media showing them exploring the site.
The growing trend is not specific to young people, either – it has been widely documented on social media platforms showing ‘urban explorers’ of various ages.
However, the recent series of incidents – especially concerning the Debenhams building – has involved young children.
While trespassing is typically a civil matter in most cases, police have now cracked down on the behaviour due to its incredibly dangerous nature and public nuisance.
During a previous incident on July 31, police were called to the scene at around 2pm after ’tiles and projectiles’ were thrown from the roof of the former department store. Six boys were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public nuisance, in connection with the incident.
These incidents are not only restricted to Nottingham city centre, either, with multiple videos having emerged, showing people accessing sites across wider Nottinghamshire, including an attempt to access the recently-decommissioned Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station
Authorities issue a stark warning to parents
Chief Inspector Kylie Davies, who oversees neighbourhood policing in Nottingham city centre, urged parents to speak to the children about the dangers of breaking into derelict sites.
She said: “Derelict and empty buildings often have unsafe structures inside and usually in a state of disrepair.
“Therefore it is important to stress that anyone who breaks into a disused building is putting themselves at self at risk of being seriously injured.
“The former Debenhams building is a case in point. In recent weeks, we have seen youths gain access to the site and climb onto the roof.
“This is incredibly dangerous as the building is in a poor condition and has asbestos inside. There is broken glass, the floors are giving way and it is pitch black inside.
“We’ve had children climb onto the rooftop ledge and clearly that is extremely dangerous as well.
“With this I urge parents and guardians to please talk to your children about the dangers of entering empty and derelict buildings.
“This message isn’t to stop children from enjoying themselves, but to highlight the dangers and ensure that your child doesn’t end up a casualty, or even a fatality.
“I ask parents and carers to make sure that they know where their children are, and what they are doing.
“If they are spending hours away from home in the evenings and weekends, be aware of their movements, both for their own safety and the safety of others.”