The former Petersfield care home, in Portishead, has fallen into disrepair and is deemed unsafe. Pictures: Google/Avon & Somerset Police

Police plea after teens seen at ‘unsafe’ abandoned North Somerset care home

Paul JonesJuly 18, 20250 Comment1

YOUNG people are putting themselves at risk by accessing an abandoned North Somerset care home – with police and the site owners using high-tech solutions to identify anyone who enters the property.

Avon & Somerset Police have issued a warning to parents and young people after a spate of reports teenage children are entering the abandoned property, in Portishead, which “poses a significant health and safety risk”.

“We are receiving multiple reports that young people are continuing to gain unauthorised entry to the former Petersfield Elderly Persons Home, in Church Road South, causing further damage to a building which is already considered dangerous,” a police spokesperson said.

“The building is not deemed safe to be entered by anyone other than qualified tradesmen and young people are gaining access to the site the south boundary wall near Parsonage Court, which is distressing to residents.

“The owners are aware and we are providing them with security advice.”

They said three youths – wearing ski masks and balaclavas – were recently seen leaving the site on July 11.

Thanks to security fencing and pods which alert a security company when motion is detected, one person has already been identified.

Sgt Timothy Stride, from the North Portishead and Clevedon neighbourhood policing team, said: “We urge people to stay away for their own safety. The building is unsafe and anybody who accesses it is at risk of serious injury, or worse, and we are urging parents to make sure they know where their children are and to make sure they are aware of the dangers they potentially face at this site.

The former Petersfield care home, in Portishead, has fallen into disrepair and is deemed unsafe. Pictures: Avon & Somerset Police

“The risks are not only associated within the building, but trying to gain access via rooftops is particularly dangerous.

“We are conducting additional patrols of the area and are responding to calls to the site, but what we want to reiterate is this building is extremely unsafe, and people should stop trying to access it.”

Police said officers are tackling issues surrounding the Lake Grounds, Wyndham Way Retail Park, Battery Road, the marina and Harbour Road.

Anyone with information about the incident at the care home on July 11, or other instances of anti-social behaviour, should contact police on 101, reference 5225195540, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.