A group of youths have been branded “reckless” after they filmed themselves breaking into and climbing up some of Aberdeen’s most vulnerable historic properties.
The teens scaled Provost Skene’s House, the Broadford Works and Greyfriars Church and posted the footage on social media.
One group of youngsters managed to gain access to and scale the 16th-century Provost Skene’s House in broad daylight, taking pictures from the top of the scaffolding currently encasing the property as it undergoes a multi-million-pound restoration.
And last week, others broke into the off-limits Broadford Works site, which was once home to the largest collection of category A-listed buildings in the country, to snap photographs of its crumbling and dangerous interiors.
Plans are in place for a major transformation of the former 19th century industrial complex into an “urban village”.
Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart last night renewed calls for the owners of the historic properties to make sure they are secure as possible.
He said: “I think the owners of some of these buildings, including the council, need to have a good look at the security arrangements they have in place.
“What they have just now clearly isn’t fit for purpose.
“I realise that these kids are young, but they should still know better.
“They’re putting themselves, and others, at huge risk.
“It’s utter stupidity.”
Other locations around the city centre targeted include Greyfriar’s Church on Broad Street, where there are plans in place for a conversion into a restaurant and bar, Dandara’s The Point development at Triple Kirks, and Woolmanhill Hospital.
Dominic Fairlie, the chairman of the Aberdeen Civic Society, said that although he doesn’t believe the youngsters intended to cause harm to any of the historic properties, they are still putting themselves and others at risk.
He said: “Buildings which are under scaffolding are certainly easier to scale and efforts should be made to secure them, but for people who are very determined it really is almost impossible to stop them.
“It’s not something that should be encouraged, it’s not a very neighbourly way to behave.
“A lot of these kinds of people just climb buildings for the kick of it, which doesn’t really have a malicious intent, so there isn’t really a lot of threat to the properties themselves, but of course this can needlessly waste the time of the emergency services when they could be really needed elsewhere.”
A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said: “Clearly this kind of behaviour is reckless and dangerous, and the participants risk serious physical harm in attempting such foolhardy stunts.
“The site security we have in place meets industry standard requirements but despite best efforts, people who are determined to behave in such a manner will sometimes find a way to do so.”
Director of Axiom Project Services, one of the firms behind the Broadford Works redevelopment plans, Gavin Robb said: “Public safety and the security of the people who work at the site and live nearby is of paramount importance to us.
“We operate 24 hour surveillance with mobile response units and frequent manned patrols.
“The Aberdeen City Police are informed of any trespassing at the site and we will always prosecute if it is clear that any law has been broken.
“An investigation will be carried out in regards to this incident.”
A spokesman for Dandara said: “The two young men depicted in images posted online have trespassed on a secure site to which there is no right of access for members of the public.
“Extensive security measures are in place throughout the site to deter illegal access to the property. These have previously been inspected by Police Scotland, and confirmed as appropriate for the site.
“There is extensive signage warning of the dangers of unauthorised access. Given the apparent ages of the young people involved in these incidents, those responsible for their care may wish to take action to encourage them to behave more responsibly.
“While these young people clearly have no concern for their own safety, such irresponsible behaviour demonstrates an appalling disregard for the safety of emergency service or site security staff, who may be asked to respond in the event of incidents such as these occurring.”
A police spokeswoman declined to comment.
