Fears for safety of teenagers climbing Arbroath scaffolding

WARNING: Police tell youngsters to stop before serious accident happens

A group of teenagers are risking their lives in a dangerous craze in Arbroath.

They have been scaling scaffolding on numerous occasions at building sites in the town, prompting the police to issue a warning for them to stop before an accident happens.

Angus Council warned this type of “irresponsible behaviour” has, in the past, led to “serious injury and even death”, and ordered those involved to “keep out”.

The 10 to 15-strong group has climbed scaffolding at Ponderlaw Lane in the town centre, and Hamilton Green, the council’s housing development in the Abbey Quarter.

Their disregard for their own safety and the belief their actions are “a bit of a laugh” have prompted Police Scotland to advise the teenagers to curtail their activities. They have also issued a plea to parents and carers to talk to their children before someone is injured.

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We are asking parents and carers to assist us, to keep children safe

A police spokesman described the group as being in their mid-teens.

He said: “We are aware of young people climbing on scaffolding and remind them of the dangers of doing so.

“Children place themselves at risk if they enter these buildings, climb on scaffolding or on the roofs.”

The spokesman added: “We are asking parents and carers to assist us, to keep children safe and reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour. They may get involved in activity they may consider is just ‘a bit of a laugh’ without considering the potential consequences.”

Referring to its Abbey Quarter housing development, an Angus Council spokesman said it was a secured building site, with fencing around its perimeter advising people to keep out of the construction area.

He said: “Under no circumstances should people be entering the site, site buildings or building under construction without authority.”

Arbroath East and Lunan independent councillor Lois Speed, viceconvener of the council’s communities committee, urged parents and carers to raise awareness of the fact building sites are “out of bounds”.

She said developments like the Abbey Quarter have a habit of attracting attention which needed to be “completely discouraged”.