Security issues at industrial park where boy died
Family HandoutSecurity concerns about a former industrial estate where a boy has since died in a fire were raised earlier this year, local councillors have said.
The body of 14-year-old Layton Carr was discovered following a blaze at Fairfield Industrial Park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead on Friday evening.
Issues including broken fence panels were previously reported by councillors, who had been unable to get through to security firm Securitas UK on the number posted on the fence. However, the holes were blocked up in the weeks before the fire, the councillors said.
A spokesperson for the firm said it took the matter "extremely seriously" but would not comment on an ongoing investigation.
Pelaw and Heworth ward councillors Amanda Wintcher, Ian Patterson and Paul Diston said they had raised concerns about anti-social behaviour with Securitas, Gateshead Council, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, and Northumbria Police.
"Some actions have been taken but, unfortunately, the pieces did not come together in time to prevent this awful incident," a statement from the Liberal Democrat councillors read.
They said they had reported a broken fence panel along the side of the warehouse on 27 February but Wintcher was "not able to get through on the Securitas number posted on the fence when she attempted to report this the day before".
The fire service and police force have been contacted for comment.
Gateshead Council confirmed it had received several recent reports of the fencing at Fairfield being breached and repairs had been made.
It said it had contacted the land owner but had not received a response.
"We are working with colleagues in the police and fire service to try to assess what has happened," councillor Angela Douglas said.
The councillors said the missing panels had been blocked up by 5 March.
Wintcher also reported more broken fence panels on 23 April, which were blocked up "soon after", they said.
Securitas UK said: "We take this matter extremely seriously. As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment any further."
Sixteen children, aged between 11 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and subsequently released on bail.
Meanwhile, more than £18,000 has been raised via a GoFundMe appeal set up for Layton's mother.