THERE are fears that someone could be killed at derelict former naval flats on Portland after youths were seen ‘pushing each other’ close to the edges of the ‘extremely dangerous’ building.
The dilapidated flats building next to Atlantic House on Portland has been closed for several years and is private property.
But there have been incidents of groups entering the site and reports of anti-social behaviour in recent months and years.
Police officers patrolled the area at around 8pm on Tuesday evening (July 13) after receiving reports of a number of youths in the building.
According to a witness, they were ‘seen to be pushing each other around close to the edges'.
Sandra West, mayor of Portland, is concerned that people have trespassed the derelict site again - and called for action to be taken.
She said: "It is really stupid to do this. I have noticed it happen on numerous occasions – people running up and down the building and people too close to the edge. It is extremely dangerous.
"I understand kids must be bored during the pandemic but it is completely and utterly a reckless thing to do.
"Kids should know to stay away from the place. It is an extremely dangerous building and some day someone will fall off and become seriously injured or die."
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Councillor West, who previously worked at the former naval building in the 1990s, is campaigning for action and is calling on the property's owners, Comer Homes, to improve the site's security or knock it down.
She added: "The owners have a duty of care to ensure it is secure.
"They have to take responsibility. They should just knock it down and clear the site and make it more safe."
Mrs West was also fearful that the looming summer holidays will mean that more youngsters will attempt to explore the building.
She said: "I urge children to stay away. It is not a playground and you can get hurt there.
"I also urge parents to look after their children and ask them where they have been or where they are going.
"It is a disaster waiting to happen – someone could be seriously injured or killed there."
Police say their actions were ‘extremely dangerous’ and warned people that the site ‘is not a playground’.
A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Police said: “Officers from Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team have tonight at around 8pm attended The Old Naval Officers building next to Atlantic House.
“Youths were reported to have been in the building, and had been seen to be pushing each other around close to the edges.
“We would like to remind the local community this is private land. It is not to be entered at anytime.
“The building and surrounding area is a development site, and extremely dangerous. It is not a playground.”
Comer Homes has been approached for comment.
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