Warning to stay out of dangerous Wigan mill

Crews say they are making regular visits to the dilapidated and unsafe building close to Mesnes Park and are pleading with Wiganers to stay away.

Anti-social behaviour and trespassing at the former mill has been a huge problem for some time.

Crews say anyone trespassing in the mill is risking serious injury due to the condition of the building.

The latest incident involved police and firefighters spending an hour conducting a full search of the building on Friday night after a member of the public became concerned for the welfare of a person spotted in the mill.

Crew manager Nigel Shepherd from Wigan fire station said: "We are receiving weekly calls at least to Pagefield.

"There are concerns as we are turning out there quite a lot. There are a large number of holes in the fencing, we've seen young people messing about in there and fires are being lit. People also seem to be stealing whatever materials are left.

"It's is a very structurally unstable and dangerous building. There are a lot of holes and missing stairwells. Everybody needs to keep out.

"There was an incident recently where a young girl fell and dislocated her knee. That shows how unsafe the building is.

"The police are looking at prosecuting anybody if they catch them in there."

Last year Wigan Council brought in demolition crews to raze parts of the site in the hope of deterring further trespassing.

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