A court has granted a partial closure order for the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon after repeated incidents of trespass by so-called urban explorers.
Wiltshire Police obtained the order at Swindon Magistrates Court following ongoing reports of people entering the disused building to explore and create content for social media.
Under the order, it is a criminal offence to enter the site unless named on the document. Anyone found inside without permission can be arrested.
Police said the action follows two suspected burglary reports over the weekend, both believed to involve urban explorers.
At around 4pm on Sunday 22 March, four teenagers were detained under Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and their details were obtained.
No offences were found to have been committed and they were released with no further action.
Just after 5.30pm on the same day, three people were stopped and searched by officers after attempting to enter the site.
At least one of the incidents involved the group Urban.xplores, who published video of the moment they were stopped and searched by police.
PC Jeremy Williams said: “We believe the majority of these reports involve people who are exploring and want to create content for social media.
“There are many reasons why buildings are abandoned. They could have unstable roofs, rotten flooring, exposed live wires, or asbestos which could all pose risk to those entering.
“If you do get an injury help can be difficult to summon, and rescue crews may be hesitant to enter unsafe environments.”
The closure order will remain in place for three months. Police have urged the public to report anyone seen entering abandoned buildings by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
