Fresh measures to secure derelict Debenhams building

Work is ongoing to stop youths accessing the roof of the former Debenhams building in Nottingham city centre, police have said.

Reports of young people accessing the building in Long Row, off Old Market Square, have led to a closure order, which has now been extended until 20 November.

Nottinghamshire Police said officers were working with the site owners and Nottingham City Council to "ensure the building is better secured".

Ch Insp Kylie Davies said buildings like Debenhams were "extremely dangerous".

On Thursday, police said a small group of young people were able to access the roof, putting themselves in danger.

Police said the individuals had now been identified, and their parents or guardians were being visited.

Earlier this year, two boys, 13 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of entering a closed premises in breach of a closure order.

It comes after a closure order was issued in May at the derelict store following concerns about anti-social behaviour.

The store closed in May 2021 as part of the wider closure of all Debenhams outlets and the building has remained vacant since.

Davies said work was under way to make sure the building could not be accessed.

"Inside, they are structurally unsound and by scaling the roof you are quite literally putting your life on the line," she added.

"Should you lose your footing and fall, or part of the building breaks, the result will be catastrophic."

She said police were limited in what they could do to punish the people accessing the building.

"However, we are exploring youth injunctions, which are designed to ensure young people have stringent conditions set by the courts, which they cannot ignore," she added.

"These can include curfews and not being allowed to enter parts of the city whilst also offering diversionary support to try and change the cycle of behaviour.

"The closure order has certainly limited the activity at Debenhams and for some time we saw no children or young people attempting to enter the site.

"We have identified further issues and access points which are now being addressed.

"Officers have been in touch with the managing agents and they are looking to further target harden the site, particularly the roof area."

She said parents and guardians should speak to their children and explain the risks to them, adding: "We do not want to be reporting that someone has tragically lost their life due to behaviour which is completely avoidable."

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