West Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service are warning residents about the dangers of entering vacant and derelict buildings in Northampton town centre.
The 2026 public safety warning follows concern that young people are unlawfully getting into closed or unsafe properties, filming the activity and sharing clips on TikTok and other social media platforms.
Anyone who sees suspicious activity around an empty building should report it to Northamptonshire Police on 101 or online. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Unsafe buildings in Northampton town centre are the focus
The warning applies to vacant and derelict sites across Northampton town centre, where officials say unauthorised entry can expose people to hazards that are not obvious from outside.
These buildings may look empty, but they can still contain unstable flooring, exposed drops, unsafe structures, live electrical systems and hidden hazards. A person entering for a video, a challenge or curiosity may not know which floors, staircases or roof spaces are unsafe until it is too late.
Emergency services also face extra risk when they have to enter damaged or unsecured buildings to rescue someone. Firefighters, police officers and paramedics may have to work in poor visibility, unstable structures or areas where access routes are already compromised.
Social media clips are driving copycat visits
Agencies are particularly concerned about videos that show urban exploring locations and then attract comments asking for directions or tips on how to get in.
That online trail can turn one unlawful entry into several visits by people who have no knowledge of the building, its ownership, its condition or any previous safety incidents. The risk is higher when younger viewers treat the footage as entertainment rather than trespass in a dangerous setting.
Parents and carers are being urged to talk to children and teenagers about the real consequences behind these videos. A short clip may leave out the broken floors, dark stairwells, sharp metal, exposed wiring or difficulty of getting help once inside.
Trespass can lead to enforcement action
Entering a building without permission can be a criminal offence and may result in prosecution. In some parts of Northampton, unauthorised access may also breach a Public Spaces Protection Order, known as a PSPO, which is used to address antisocial behaviour.
A PSPO breach can lead to enforcement action, including fines or prosecution. That means a visit made for a social media post can have consequences beyond immediate injury risk, especially if the person is found to have forced entry, ignored warnings or encouraged others to do the same.
The warning is not aimed only at those entering the buildings. Residents and businesses near vacant properties are being asked to report suspicious activity early, before a situation escalates into an injury, rescue or repeat trespass problem.
What parents and residents can do now
Families should treat urban exploring videos as a safety prompt, not just online content. If a child is watching or sharing local exploration clips, ask whether they know the site, whether friends are planning to visit and whether anyone is sharing access points in comments or private messages.
Useful steps include:
- Remind young people that closed or derelict buildings are not safe public spaces.
- Explain that filming inside a site does not remove the risk of injury or prosecution.
- Discourage sharing directions, entry points or access tips online.
- Report signs of forced entry, repeated gatherings or people climbing into empty buildings.
- Call 999 immediately if someone appears trapped, injured or in immediate danger.
Business owners and nearby residents can also help by noting times, descriptions and locations when suspicious activity occurs. Clear reports make it easier for police and council teams to identify repeat sites and act before more people are drawn in.
How to report suspicious activity
Northamptonshire Police should be contacted on 101 or through its online reporting service for non-emergency concerns linked to vacant buildings.
Call 999 if there is an immediate threat to life, if someone is injured, if people are trapped inside a building, or if a situation is unfolding and urgent help is needed.
The agencies behind the warning are West Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. Their message to residents is direct: do not enter vacant or derelict buildings, and report activity before it becomes an emergency.
Source: West Northamptonshire Council
Source check Source trail
This article is based on a public safety notice from West Northamptonshire Council and the named emergency services.
- Confirmed the warning concerns vacant and derelict buildings in Northampton town centre.
- Matched the agencies named in the notice: West Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire...
- Kept legal references limited to prosecution risk, PSPO breaches, fines and enforcement ac...
- Included only the reporting routes provided in the notice: 101, online reporting and 999 i...
- Source
- West Northamptonshire Council
- Scope
- Northampton
- Updated
- 2026-05-26 16:53
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