FEARS for community safety have been raised after gangs of youths were reported to authorities. 

Hampshire police were called to four separate incidences on one day when groups of up to 15 teenagers climbed onto the roofs of city centre shops.

It comes just days after city centre businesses announced a team of city centre rangers will patrol the streets to help police fight crime.

As reported, Go!Southampton – the city’s business improvement organisation – is set to employ the team of security-trained ‘rangers’ as extra presence in the city centre. 

Now police are warning of the dangers of trespassing – and say responsibility for rooftop access rests with business owners. 
But one manager says he has already taken steps to stop people getting onto his roof.

TSB bank area director Matthew Cottam said he has put up “a number” of precautions, including installing fences and CCTV and security paint. 

He said: “Despite our best efforts in increasing awareness, security paint, fences and CCTV, teenagers are regularly climbing on and along the rooftops putting risk to their lives and attracting attention of onlookers on Southampton High Street. 

“The latest incident in which members of the general public were involved in contacting the police was when a gang of around 15 male teenagers climbed and sat on the roof of Lidl and TSB bank.

“We strongly discourage anyone from doing this.” 

A police spokesperson said: “We were called several times on April 5 to reports of people on roofs of buildings in College Street, High Street, West Bargate and Canal Walk between midday and 5.30pm. 

“At 11.56am three young people were reported as being on the roof of Empress Heights. 

“At 12.52pm a group of people were reported as being on the shop roofs on the High Street above Tesco. 

“At 2.02pm six young people were described as being on top of Burger King on West Bargate. 

“At 5.04pm a group of 15 boys were reported as being on top of apartment blocks in Canal Walk.”

Southampton Central Neighbourhood Inspector Mel Golding said: “We are aware of people trespassing on the roof top areas in the city centre and other structures across Southampton. 

“Trespassing is not a criminal offence but we would like to highlight the risk of free-running, urban-exploring or ‘parkour.’ “ 

“Vacant buildings, rooftops and construction sites are full of hazards and anyone trespassing on these structures or in these areas are putting themselves at risk of serious injury.”

Passing members of the public are also at risk of falling debris. Police officers attending reports of these incidents are also putting themselves at risk. 

“Public safety is paramount and while we will support businesses in the city with any civil action they wish to pursue to prevent this activity, it is the responsibility of each individual business to take reasonable measures to prevent rooftop access. This is to mitigate any culpable liability should an injury or serious event take place following a trespass. 

“We continue to remind and encourage parents to tell their children about the dangers of falling from heights and discuss the risks associated with this activity. Adults engaging in urban exploring are reminded that these areas are not public, they are dangerous and you are putting your life at serious risk. Do not access private buildings and respect the property rights of others.”

Interim manager of the Dolphin Hotel Tom Smith said an incident at the end of last year involved people climbing onto their roof from a neighbouring property. 

A Business Improvement District spokesperson said: “The BID is concerned about the increasing incidents of “free running” in the city and has heard from some businesses of the negative impact it is having. 

“Once in place, the BID rangers will be able to support the police and other agencies.”