Anti-climbing spikes, increased patrols and other security measures are being put in place at an historic Aberdeen swimming pool after youths broke in to take photos from its diving boards.
Foolish pupils from Harlaw Academy posted images of themselves on social media after they illegally entered Bon Accord Baths on Justice Mill Lane.
This raised concerns that if the children slipped they could have tumbled more than 40ft from the diving boards to the concrete bottom of the empty pool.
The baths were closed in 2008 due to budget cuts by Aberdeen City council, and have lain empty ever since.
The incident highlighted a lack of security at the site – and over the years, the inside of the building has been scrawled with graffiti, and many windows have been smashed in.
Last night, it was confirmed that anti-climbing devices have been installed on the outside of the art deco building, and police presence has been heightened in the area to prevent further break-ins.
Harlaw Academy staff are also understood to have reminded pupils of the dangers of entering unsafe buildings.
Last night Councillor Martin Greig, the chairman of the Aberdeen Community Safety Partnership, said he hopes the measures will be enough to prevent determined intruders.
He said: “Anti-climb devices called Cacti have been installed, to prevent and deter kids and other intruders from entering the building.
“Police, fire staff and wardens have all been involved in creating a combined strategy to increase patrols around the building – the police in particular are aware of the risks of the building being broken into.
“Hopefully their presence will help to discourage unwelcome visitors.”
Last month, the Bon Accord Heritage group – which was set up to restore the 1940s baths to their former glory – highlighted worries that the ageing building could be suffering from “concrete cancer”.
Efforts to reopen the pool are currently on hold while the volunteer group works with Aberdeen City Council to fully establish the extent of the issue.
If it is found to be too widespread, it could place the heritage group’s plans in jeopardy.
