Fatal accident fears as children hang off eight-storey NHS office in Sheffield
“Another day, another potential fatal accident”
Children have been seen hanging off the outside and playing on the roof of a derelict eight-storey office in Sheffield, raising fears of a fatal accident.
Shock footage shows one youngster on the outside of a window frame on the top floor of the burnt-out building at the Fulwood House site, while being videoed by two girls.
Another clip shows a boy running on the roof, before precariously climbing to the floor below, as jeering children lean out of smashed windows.
Local residents have raised fears of an accident similar to that seen at the old Hallam Towers in Broomhill which was popular with urban explorers before 19-year-old student Thomas Rhodes fell to his death in March 2017.
On a Fulwood Facebook group, one member viewed the footage and said: “Another day, another potential fatal accident. It's only a matter of time, especially when (they) stand on the outside window ledge.”
Others wondered about security, which is reportedly paid for by taxpayers’ cash, running into thousands of pounds a year.
The building is owned by Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, the new name for NHS Sheffield Health and Social Care.
It was vacated in 2023.
One said: “It's down to the building owner to ensure that it's properly secure. Their insurers won't be impressed if somebody does get hurt and it's been public knowledge that the site isn't properly secure.
“It needs a properly maintained security fence around the perimeter and the doors and lower windows boarding up. Pretty basic stuff really.”
Another said he had spoken to a security guard.
“The kids have finally clocked that he is not allowed to do anything other than call the police. He cannot stop them, he cannot touch them, he cannot let his dog loose to deter them.
“I was told this some weeks ago by the security guard himself, but yesterday evening the kids told me this themselves when I told them they shouldn't be there.
“They were all laughing and joking about how the guard can't do anything. Talking with the poor fella, he said apparently when he does call the police, it takes hours for them to come up, if they even come up at all.”
One said he had contacted police.
“I received a call today from an officer at South Yorkshire Police, following my formal request for help,” the resident explained.
“The general tone was looking to help but with limited resources. They are aiming to establish patrols as often as possible, including parking in the area when on breaks.
“The officer has also reached out to the council's dangerous structures / buildings team and asked them to assess what can be done to better secure the site.
“There is also a council community officer team that is to be approached for their support in establishing patrols.
“Police policy for incidents specific to Fulwood House is that they will not attend. The reasoning being that it is private property and dangerous. Officers have been instructed not to enter the site.
“Attempts are being made to identify youngsters shown in videos and images.
The hope is that if patrols continue until the nights draw in, interest in the site will reduce.
“Ultimately the police feel that the site owners, the NHS at the moment, should properly secure the site, not just with a perimeter fence but with properly barricaded doors and lower windows.
“The officer I spoke to has also visited the site and contacted the security firm to express concern at the relatively flimsy fencing.”
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Abandoned buildings and areas that are closed off are often shut down for safety reasons and anyone who enters them could pose a serious risk to themselves and others.
“We would always urge people to think twice before putting themselves into danger by entering such buildings and anyone caught could face civil prosecution.
“Damaging a building whilst gaining access can also be a criminal offence.”
A sale of the site was originally agreed in 2022 and developer Expresso Properties went on to submit plans for a £50m housing development.
But the firm exited the deal in November last year after a sale contract expired.
The site includes a heritage building which was wrecked in a fire last year and is set to be demolished. The eight-storey office has had two fires on the top floor. There are several one and two-storey offices on the sprawling site which have been vandalised.
The NHS was approached for comment.