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Old 13-11-2007, 19:03   #28
Andym
Junior Member+
 

Re: Urban Exploration craze

Sorry to go gravedigging and drag up an oldish thread.

Let's kill some popular misconceptions, no doubt provoked by an hysterical local media looking for a story, and a badly researched one at that.

Urban Exploration is NOT, repeat NOT about breaking into buildings. As has been pointed out, that's a criminal offence, as is going equipped to break and enter, i.e. if you were found trespassing by a police officer, and you had equipment that he suspected you used to enter (even if you just walked through the door), he would have reasonable grounds for arrest. A policeman can ask you to leave and possibly arrest you, but couldn't charge you.

Trespass is a civil offence, except on certain properties where it becomes a criminal offence - e.g. government, military, nuclear installations and also the railway.

Don't always presume sites are entered without permission. I went into Accy Conny Club - I went though a window (although later I realised the fire exits were open). Would I have got permission? I doubt it. I recently went round the abandoned Chatterley Whitfield Colliery on a rare open day, surrounded by stewards and miles of Herras fencing. I also went to see the mill engine at Grane Mill, Haslingden which isn't open to the public, as I asked the owner.

Yes, some of the places I go I shouldn't be. Are the owners likely to give a damn? In most instances, no, or they'd secure the sites and / or put security on. Do I know what I'm doing? More so than the scally's who try to set fire to these places, or break in to drink and do drugs, and light fires. Does this make it right or am I defending the indefensible? You decide.

Why do I do it? Primarily because I'm interested in history, architecture and photography. Sure, I take a risk, going into derelict buildings with costly photographic equipment, but I take steps to minimise risk. I'm not completely daft.

Oh, one final thought before you cast judgement, if I hadn't have gone into Accy Conny Club, the Observer wouldn't have seen my pictures, and it'd still be frequented by the scally's.

Over to you....

Andym is offline   Reply With Quote