KIDS ARE DICING WITH DEATH
Youths were caught on the roof of the school Reckless youths are putting their lives at risk by playing on the roof of a Perth school.
Youngsters have been spotted playing on the roof of North Muirton Primary, which is set to be decommissioned in the next five years.
And while police have urged youngsters - facing “fatal” consequences - to think before scaling buildings, the force has also called on property owners to make their buildings harder to climb.
Youths had climbed onto the roof of the school on Monday evening, but their free-running jaunt came to a swift end when police arrived.
A spokesperson for the force confirmed: “Police Scotland attended at North Muirton Primary School in Perth at about 7.30pm on Monday,
May 21, in response to reports of a group of youths on the roof.
“The youths came down safely and were suitably advised as to the potential dangers of their actions.”
Perth’s top cop has issued a warning to those thinking about climbing on buildings.
Local area commander CI Ian Scott has also told property owners to make sure their building has measures in place to discourage climbers.
CI Scott said: “Climbing on any form of roof or high wall is inherently unsafe. Like the rest of the country, we have a range of buildings in both age and construction terms.
“Some are not designed to take the weight of a person and one slip, fall or roof giving way can have serious or even fatal consequences.
“Property owners should also maintain their buildings to a good standard, consider warning signs, prevent access to high areas through physical barriers, or anti-climb paint and Police Scotland would be happy to provide advice through architectural liaison officers or crime prevention officers.
“I would encourage people to consider organised activities as an alternative such as professionally designed climbing walls, aerial adventures, and rock climbing, where safety equipment and risk assessments can allow individuals to enjoy a challenge in a safe manner.
“Friends and parents should also look to dissuade risk taking behaviour before a loved one sustains an unintended injury as a consequence of their actions.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: ““While we will consider any measures which would positively impact on the safety of legitimate users of any of our sites, we believe it is reasonable to assume that people should know that climbing onto a roof could be dangerous or cause damage.”