A 14-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after a dramatic fall through the roof of Plymouth’s empty Debenhams store, an incident that has exposed the grave dangers lurking within the city’s derelict buildings and the growing trend of ‘urban exploration’ that is tempting youngsters inside.
Emergency services were scrambled to the disused department store on Royal Parade at 5.35pm on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after the teenager plummeted approximately 15 feet through a skylight to the third floor below.
Devon and Cornwall Police stated the boy sustained multiple injuries, which are not described as life-threatening or life-changing. He was taken to Derriford Hospital by land ambulance, according to a South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson, who confirmed one double-crewed ambulance was sent to the scene.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service detailed that three appliances and an aerial ladder platform were dispatched, with crews searching the building to locate the casualty before he was conveyed to hospital.
A Vacant Heritage Site Turned Hazard
The building at the heart of this incident has been vacant since the Debenhams chain collapsed in 2021, closing its entire portfolio of more than 90 UK stores and resulting in around 12,000 job losses. Located within the Plymouth City Centre Conservation Area, it is recognized as an important heritage asset.
Its current state, however, is one of extreme dereliction. The structure is described as hazardous, with smashed glass, debris, a lack of lighting, and areas that are structurally unsafe due to collapsed floors and hidden drops. Just before Christmas, a ranger with the Plymouth Against Retail Crime (PARC) initiative labelled it a “death trap,” noting intruders had been seen on the roof and shimmying along ledges.
Police Warning Over ‘Dangerous Pastime’
Inspector Greg Bridgett of Devon and Cornwall Police issued a stern warning following the incident. “There are clear dangers and safety concerns associated with climbing on or around empty or derelict locations,” he said. “We would urge children not to be tempted by this dangerous pastime.”
The force confirmed it will take a “robust approach towards any individuals found in derelict buildings” and has been working with Plymouth City Council and building owners to tackle issues around insecure properties. This stance comes as the disused Debenhams has become a known site for urban explorers, who film their trespasses and post content on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Authorities report similar concerning incidents of youths breaking into derelict buildings across Devon and Cornwall.
Approved Flats Plan Stalled Amid Stagnation
Long-term plans to remedy the eyesore have been approved but remain unrealized. Plymouth City Council planners gave the go-ahead in June 2023 for a redevelopment scheme to convert the building into 167 apartments over five floors, featuring a two-storey rooftop extension and ground-floor commercial use. These plans, first outlined in March 2022, proposed keeping the building’s facades untouched while extending and partially demolishing the rear.
As of December 2025, however, work on creating the flats had not started, leaving the hazardous structure in a prolonged state of limbo.
Council Powers and Community Safety Efforts
Plymouth City Council holds powers to address such dangerous structures, with a process for reporting them and the ability to take action to make buildings safe, recovering expenses from the owner if necessary. The council also maintains a proactive approach to tackling empty homes, with compulsory purchase orders as a last resort.
These efforts dovetail with the work of the Plymouth Against Retail Crime (PARC) initiative, which works in partnership with police, the City Centre Company, and the council to address retail crime and anti-social behaviour, aiming to create a safer city centre environment.
The fire service’s account of a thorough search within the precarious building underscores the operational risks faced by emergency responders. With the former store described by police as both dangerous and a magnet for anti-social behaviour, this incident serves as a stark, real-world consequence of the risks inherent in exploring derelict sites.
