THEY have become a common sight in the city, risking their lives and terrifying onlookers.

Daredevils put themselves and others at risk to clamber up towering structures with no safety gear, often on unstable or unsafe scaffolding.

Now safety campaigners and police have spoken out against so-called free climbers for fear they could spark copy-cats, especially as the school summer holidays begin amid beautiful weather.

The warnings come after the Daily Echo reported earlier this week how a Southampton tower block was being taken over by people who use the scaffolding to climb to terrifying heights.

Photos emerged of someone climbing to the top of the 14-storey Dumbleton Towers in Thornhill last weekend using scaffolding put up by British Gas.

The unknown climbers faced criticism from residents, councillors and police. Now safety campaigners have joined the chorus of concern.

One concern is that now schools have broken up for the summer holidays, children may be tempted to attempt the incredibly dangerous stunts themselves.

Daily Echo:

David Walker, leisure safety manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: “An appetite for adventure is fine – commendable even – but done in the right context. 

“The bottom line is that if things go wrong, it does not only impact on the individual involved but also their family, the emergency services and staff who work at the construction and demolition sites.

“Businesses have to go to great lengths to ensure security, and the Health and Safety Executive and construction industry have put huge efforts into preventing trespass on building sites.

“Children are particularly at risk from trespassing on these sites as several tragic accidents have shown. Part of the risk is not just normalising this kind of behaviour but copycat activities by young people.”

Hampshire police also issued a warning about the stunts, saying: “We are aware of people trespassing on the roof top areas in the city centre and other structures across Southampton in recent months. 

“We would like to remind those who engage in this behaviour that causing damage to property will not be tolerated.

“Even if a building appears derelict or disused, it will still have an owner. 
“We would also like to highlight the risk of free-running or urban-exploring, recently made popular in Southampton.

“Vacant buildings and construction sites are full of hazards and anyone trespassing on these structures or in these areas are putting themselves at risk of serious injury. 

“Passing members of the public are also at risk of falling debris. 

“It is concerning that this has become a popular activity. Parents are encouraged to remind their children of the dangers of this activity in relation to falling from heights and entering disused buildings. 

“Do not access private sites unless you have permission from the land owner. Do not interfere with construction sites or equipment. Moreover, respect the property rights of others and don’t take risks.”

Hampshire daredevil Ally Law makes a living by posting videos of himself on social media climbing hair-raising high structures, including Dumbleton Towers, West Quay shopping centre and a crane in Southampton.

But he says he understands the criticism that has been launched at the climbers.

Daily Echo:

The 19-year-old from Sholing said: “I understand and they’re completely within reason to ask these questions. 

“That is the first sort of things that comes to mind when people see stuff like this. 

“I can’t speak for others but personally I don’t climb anywhere that is putting others in danger, it’s mostly building sites that are closed.”

Mr Law added: “I’d say it’s the same as most people don’t worry about crashing every time they get into a car, I’m 100 per cent confident in my abilities with anything you see me doing, it may seem risky to people watching but everything I do, I know I can do. If I can’t, I won’t.”

When asked if he worries others may attempt to copy his stunts and seriously hurt themselves, or even die, Mr Law said: “I just hope people understand that it is in fact extremely dangerous, there are no chances up there, you can’t afford to make mistakes.

“I definitely wouldn’t recommend anyone doing it because of my videos, I don’t want people to go out and climb stuff because I do but if people do truly want to do it for themselves, you’ve got to realise it’s something you’ve got to do right.

“You need to invest a lot of time, patience and practise into it.

“Every day I do some kind of training, I train at a gymnastics gym quite often but mainly most of my preparation is out in the streets, I do some strength training to ensure I’m able to lift my body weight up easily.”