ALARM has been raised after young people were spotted risking their lives by scaling the walls of Barnard Castle.
Two young people were photographed on top of the Grade I listed building’s round tower on the evening of bank holiday Monday last week.
Golden Lion manager Jacqui Kindleyside saw the boy and girl on the walls, from upstairs in the pub at about 8pm.
She said: “They were there quite a while, about 20 minutes. It was a shock to see them up there. If they fell, who would have known?”
English Heritage, which manages the site, is also concerned about young people putting their lives in danger and has highlighted the problem of anti-social behaviour in the area.
Property manager for the castle Juliet Fellows-Smith said: “It’s of real concern to us that this trespass incident has taken place at Barnard Castle – the individual involved has put themself in considerable danger.
“We are in touch with the police and are immediately looking at any further security measures we can implement.
“Sadly Barnard Castle has been a target for anti-social behaviour in recent years, but we are working closely with the police to manage illegal access and deter entry.
“Incidents of this nature are not only dangerous and illegal, but they take our charity’s precious resources away from the conservation of the historic properties in our care.”
Ms Kindleyside agreed that measures needed to be put in place.
She said: “Kids have been going in [the castle] for years. It is quite open to get to. If English Heritage want to preserve it from vandals, something has to be done.”
Inspector Ed Turner, of Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Police Team, asked anyone who saw the incident or who can identify the people on the walls to get in touch.
He said: “Our message is quite clear – do not climb on the castle walls, it is very dangerous. If anyone knows who it was or if there are any witnesses to it, please come forward and report it to the police.”
