Online trend driving urban explorer break-ins, estate owner says

The owner of a Georgian country house believes “online trends” have driven break-ins at his properties.

William Reeve, who owns Leadenham House, Lincolnshire, said a video posted on social media showing an “urban explorer” inside one of his cottages, sparked “copycat” incidents, including intruders entering his home while he slept.

Dr Kevin Bingham, an expert on urban exploring, said social media was leading some people to take it up “for the wrong reasons now and not for genuine interest in historical sites”.

Lincolnshire Police said it had received three reports from the area since 11 October, including suspicious activity, a break-in at a property awaiting renovation and a burglary.

A video filmed inside cottages, which Reeve owns and said he had left locked, was posted on social media on 7 October and attracted more than 60,000 views.

He said the cottages, which are due to be refurbished, subsequently became the target of repeat trespassing by people attempting to find the locations featured in the video.

He added that four intruders then broke into his home while he was sleeping on 18 October.

“I felt immediately violated, furious and anxious,” Reeve said.

“People see the video and think it’s alright to go into the property. Suddenly it becomes acceptable.

“They break in, access it and call it abandoned.”

Police said in the incident on 18 October, damage was caused to antique furniture, gates and a padlock, while an adjacent workshop was also broken into.