Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Safety fears raised over derelict buildings
SAFETY fears have been expressed over two Angus buildings that were replaced by a £38.9 million campus.
The Forfar Community campus opened with fanfare last month and welcomed hundreds of visitors within the first week.
However, the buildings it replaced are proving to be a potentially lethal magnet, with teenagers spotted on the roof of the town’s former Lochside leisure centre.
Police are also stepping up patrols around the former Forfar Academy, after youths were spotted in its grounds.
Angus North and Mearns MSP Mairi Evans said the news was “very disappointing”. She added: “Not only can this lead to criminal damage, but this reckless act can have severe consequences for the safety of those involved.
“Some young people can be encouraged by their peers to enter derelict or abandoned buildings as a dare, but I would strongly urge them to resist any temptation they may have to do so.”
A spokeswoman for the police said: “We were alerted to reports of youths on a roof at Craig O’ Loch Road, Forfar.
“There was no trace of anyone on police arrival.
“Derelict and abandoned buildings can be very unsafe and a genuine danger to anyone who ventures in. Police officers are aware of this issue and will continue to give the area their attention.”
A spokesman for Angus Council said: “Clearly we would urge people, irrespective of their age, to stay out of the grounds and away from these buildings. Such behaviour is irresponsible and inherently dangerous.
“We would urge parents to ensure they are aware of where their children are and what they are doing and ask anyone who sees people behaving in this way to report the matter to the police.”