POLICE are warning youths to stop risking their lives by climbing on the roofs of town centre buildings. They are threatening to deal with offenders ‘robustly’ if their hazardous pursuits continue.

Their appeal comes after one youth came within inches of impaling himself on the metal rails of cattle pens following a 12ft fall through the roof on to a concrete floor. The youngster was lucky to escape with a head injury which needed treatment in hospital.

Officers spoke to his parents about the lad’s behaviour late last month. And now concerned police have linked up with Teignbridge Council’s anti-social team to call on the youths to end their deadly antics - or face the punishment of the law.

The trespasser who escaped serious injury was with a large gang of youngsters who had clambered on to the cattle market building off Highweek Street to carry out their daredevil activity. No action was taken against the lad. Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the accident scene where they worked together to rescue to casualty.

A police spokesman said: ‘This could potentially have been a serious incident which still required considerable time and resources of the emergency services.’ But he added: ‘Since this occurred we have had further reports of youths climbing on buildings in the town centre and entering disused buildings.’

And he warned: ‘Young people doing this are obviously putting themselves in extreme danger.

‘Neighbourhood police and South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership based at Teignbridge District Council are going to be dealing robustly with anybody they find climbing on roofs - or found in disused buildings - either criminally or through the anti-social behaviour legislation.’

Teignbridge Council’s anti-social behaviour officer Rob Kingdon said: “The Community Safety Partnership is working closely with police to prevent this from happening. ‘It’s dangerous and damaging - both to people, lives and buildings.’