Urban explorer apprehended at demolition site

An urban explorer has been apprehended by police after gaining access to a shopping complex that is being demolished.

The man, who operates under a pseudonym, said he was escorted out of Anglia Square in Norwich in handcuffs after security called Norfolk Police shortly after midnight on Thursday morning.

He told the BBC he was attempting to gain a sample of pipe lagging material inside the Hollywood Cinema building following concerns it could contain asbestos.

Norwich City Council, which says tests have shown the material does not contain the hazardous substance, has warned against "unlawful break-ins" to the site.

Demolition work was briefly stopped as a precaution earlier this month after images shared online by the urban explorer appeared to show asbestos warning signs attached to intact piping inside the Hollywood Cinema.

Samples taken from the site later confirmed it did not contain asbestos, which can cause health issues.

The man, who had previously sent his images of the site to the BBC under a pseudonym, has given his version of the events.

He said: "I was trying to get a sample of the [material] to get it tested by myself, because I don't trust the council.

"They took my sample off me, which was sealed in a jar, and handed it to the site manager."

Norfolk Police has confirmed the force was called "following reports of a trespasser inside a building at the Anglia Square demolition site".

"Officers attended the scene and a man was detained and searched," a spokeswoman added.

"Nothing was found during the search and the man was given words of advice and told not to return to the site."

The shopping centre is currently being razed to allow redevelopment which will see 1,100 homes built.

People have been worried about potential health risks from the demolition work after a large cloud of dust covered parts of the city last month.

The council sought to dispel any "misinformation and false speculation" circulating online last week about asbestos.

It reiterated there had been two "thorough inspections" at the site for asbestos, which was removed where identified before demolition work began, which were reviewed by inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive.

The council added: "Any unlawful break-ins are not only dangerous to the individuals involved — they also risk impacting the progress of the project and costing more money."

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