The Risk of Urban Exploration

Over recent years, Code 9 Security has been instructed to tackle the increasing trend of urban exploration - an activity where, absent of permission, participants (“urban explorers”) enter, explore and climb a variety of structures, including disused and derelict estates, tall buildings and places of particular interest.

Such activities pose a real threat to businesses and organisations nationally, with a number of websites and social media platforms promoting such activities and giving forums for participants to share their stories. This notable online presence is likely to encourage and fuel an increase in urban exploring.

Code 9 Security has been instructed to protect a number of estates, including a large disused brewery, leisure centres and other abandoned establishments - and are receiving enquiries on how to tackle the same issues on building projects, critical national infrastructure and iconic high-rise buildings.

We have seen urban explorers use a variety of skills and techniques to gain access to places - including using disguises and fake uniforms, carrying out reconnaissance with drones and making false appointments to get past front-of-house security measures.

The dangers and risks of urban exploration are numerous - including risk to life. Derelict buildings may contain hazardous materials such as asbestos and faeces from pigeons and other rodents. Tall buildings pose an obvious and significant physical danger to the urban explorer. More widely, there is a risk to members of the public with urban explorers often leaving places insecure and vulnerable, disturbing potentially fragile parts of the building, which may result in falling debris, and - crucially - reputational damage and legal liability for the building owner.

The issues are highlighted in the tragic case of Wu Yongning, who fell from a 62-storey building to his death - with legal proceedings ongoing.

The increasing trend of urban exploration is raising concerns over liability and compensation. Further, with urban explorers targeting buildings in towns and cities, the risks to the public are increasing - for example, what would happen if an urban explorer dropped an object, howsoever small, from a height into a public space?

If you would like to talk to Code 9 Security about urban exploration and how you can better protect your business, call us on 03332 420 620.