TikTok Trend 'Urban Ex' Puts Lives at Risk: Police Warn of Dangerous Abandoned Building Explorations

A growing trend on TikTok, known as "Urban Ex," is causing concern among authorities in Jersey. Young people are filming themselves exploring abandoned buildings, often in dangerous conditions. "The buildings can be structurally unsafe and full of hazards that put the lives of those entering them at risk," warns Chief Inspector Craig Jackson of the States of Jersey Police. The trend has gained popularity, with videos showcasing various locations, including war tunnels and the dilapidated St. Saviour's Hospital. Con Andy Jehan, Jersey's Infrastructure Minister, adds, "It could be a fall from a great height. It could be, as you say, asbestos." While some argue this behavior is inevitable, authorities hope this warning will prompt a decrease in participation. The risk to both the explorers and emergency services responding to potential incidents underscores the seriousness of this issue.