Hedge End police are appealing to Southampton parents to stop their children exploring abandoned buildings.

The rise in popularity of ‘urban exploring’ has taken many by storm in recent years with thousands tuning-in online to watch as influencers post their experience visiting abandoned buildings across the world.

Police defined the act of urban exploring as “entering derelict buildings with the purpose of exploring what is inside".

Mainstream media outlets have also jumped on this trend, with shows such as Urban Explorers on the Discovery Channel.

Officers in Hedge End have said they have seen a spike in those teens and young people urban exploring in recent weeks – largely due to the Easter break.

The force is now appealing to parents to warn their children of the dangers of Urban exploring.

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Taking to Facebook to warn parents, a spokesperson for the force said: “Urban Exploring is something we have seen a lot of recently across Hedge End north and south.

“We have encountered a number of teenagers taking part in this activity and involves entering derelict buildings to explore.

“A bungalow on Upper Northam Road, a church hall on School Lane and most recently, a pub on Oyster Quay in Hamble.

“These explorers are putting themselves at great risk entering buildings that are structurally unsafe, have unsafe electrics and could contain all manner of hazards from chemicals to damaged internal walls, doors, windows and stairs.”

Police said that those who own abandoned or derelict buildings should make sure the windows and doors are securely sealed.

The spokesperson continued: “We ask parents to speak to their teenagers about the dangers and risks of Urban Exploring and entering derelict buildings.

“So far no one has been injured but this is only a matter of time.”