Officers in Larne are keen to highlight the dangers of 'urban exploring' following an increase in reports of individuals entering derelict and abandoned buildings across the district.

Larne Neighbourhood Inspector Ash said: "Urban exploring often involves accessing disused sites and premises. While this may seem like a harmless activity, these sites are often abandoned for a reason. They are not maintained, they are unpredictable and they can be extremely dangerous. We have recently seen situations where people have suffered serious injuries simply by stepping in the wrong place. Many of these sites are also not secured, meaning emergency services may struggle to locate or safely reach someone if an accident occurs.

"I also want to remind the public that entering a private or restricted premises without permission may constitute trespass and in some circumstances can lead to a criminal offence. This particularly applies where damage is caused or entries breached.

"Our team is working closely with the local council, property owners and community representatives to identify vulnerable sites.

"We would encourage parents and guardians to speak with young people about the risks associated with this, especially where social media challenges or online content may encourage this type of behaviour."

Anyone who wishes to report a crime can get in contact on 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/