A BUSINESS owner fears youngsters could end up with life-changing injuries if they continue to climb on the roof of town centre shops.

Police and fire crews were called to Queen Street, Colchester, on Sunday after a youngster was spotted on the roof of Cash in Hand pawnbrokers.

Taylor Whiston, who owns the firm, thanked the emergency services for their help but warned children not to get up there.

“I saw police outside the shop and asked what was happening,” he said.

“There was a boy - he could only have been about 12 - and they had just got him down from the roof.

“I had not seen him on this occasion, but I had seen people on the roof of the takeaway opposite me in the days before.

“It has been going on now for about a week.

“The firefighters and the police dealt with it pretty quickly so thanks to them.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

The incident happened at approximately 1pm.

Mr Whiston said he had no idea how they were scaling the building but said it was a risky game to play.

“They might be getting up in the area next to The Gym, but I don’t know exactly,” he said.

“For me, the parents need to have a word with them and warn them how dangerous it is.

“They should know where their children are.

“They have to learn it is not a safe thing to be doing.

“As if we have not got enough to worry about at the moment with the restrictions and coronavirus guidelines coming in.

“Then there is the emergency services and their time.

“With firework night and Halloween coming up they are going to busier than normal.

“They have a lot more important things to deal with than this.

“It is unnecessary and avoidable.

“If they are not careful then one of them is going to end up in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives.

“It is not safe to be up there.

“It would not take much to fall down and then they are in serious trouble.”

Anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour in Colchester town centre should call 101 or report to the police online at essex.police.uk.