'Deadly drop' - children risk lives jumping Cranham Drive rooftops

Sarah Mileham who lives in the flats in Cranham Drive, Warndon is concerned one of the young people will misjudge the distance and fall onto the concrete slabs below, suffering serious, or even fatal, injury.

ENTRY: Youths scale this gate, squeezing through the gap to get into the flats in Cranham Drive before buzzing in their friends (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The 41-year-old - mum of Matthew, seven, and Sophie, four - says one of the group crawls through the gap in a metal entrance gate at ground level to gain access to the flats above the shops.

From there, they activate the door release and let the others in.

She has also seen young people on the roof of Oasis Academy.

Mrs Mileham has also pointed out criminal damage inside the stairwell, including to a noticeboard which has scorch marks on it.

Mrs Mileham says West Mercia Police is aware of the situation and things have improved since their intervention. The matter has also been reported to Platform Housing which manages the flats.

Scorch marks on a noticeboard on the stairwell of Cranham Drive flats in Warndon (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

However, she remains concerned with the warmer summer months and longer days ahead things will get worse again.

"They run along the flat roofs of the shops and jump the gap. When we see anyone up here we tell them to clear off because it's private property. 

"If you fall from there and smash your head and break several bones you could die from it. Police are trying to deter the youths and, in the last couple of weeks, it has been quieter because of the work of the police. They are trying to do their best." 

BROKEN: Damage and graffiti in the communal stairwell at the Cranham Drive flats in Warndon (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

She said various young people from different groups have been getting inside the flats, managed by Platform Housing, some as young as 10 and others around 13. She estimated the gap between the rooftops was around 7ft with a steep drop from the first floor to the concrete slabs below.

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Cllr Jill Desayrah, the Warndon city councillor, also visited the site and expressed concerns about the potential for tragedy among young people and the need for better facilities for them on the estate.  

RISKS: The gap as seen from the communal walkway of the flats, looking towards the police post in Cranham Drive. The police have been praised for reducing these sorts of risky incidents in Warndon (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Cllr Desayrah, who visited the flats on Tuesday, said the gang were taking astonishing risks.

"Jumping a 7 foot gap over a concrete drop is horrendous. I dread to think of the life-changing injuries or worse that could result.

"Making the necessary security improvements to this area should be a top priority.

"I have raised a request for Platform Housing to deliver these and I hope they will do so quickly. But this dangerous play further highlights the need for more and better youth facilities locally. This is something widely acknowledged and should be a priority in the Play Strategy for the City, which is soon to be published."

Inspector Tanya Beckett of West Mercia Police said they are aware and are working closely with Platform Housing.

"Meanwhile, every incident is responded to and dealt with robustly until the relevant security can be improved and permanently prevent this activity occurring."

Marion Duffy, chief operations officer at Platform Housing Group, said: “Platform is currently looking for a long-term security solution for the gate at Cranham Drive and is working in partnership with the local police to try and resolve the ASB issues being experienced.”