Nope, not a chance! I’d never damage anything just to get into a property; that’s totally against the law. I’ll stick to using the access points that are already there. If there’s no way in, I’ll just move on to the next one.

Urban exploration, commonly referred to as UE or urbex, involves the investigation of human-made structures, particularly those that are abandoned or concealed within the urban landscape. This hobby often emphasizes photography and the documentation of historical sites, and it may sometimes require trespassing on private property. Some specific forms of urban exploration include draining, which focuses on exploring storm drains and sewers, as well as urban spelunking, rock climbing, caving, building hacking, and mousing.

Engaging in urban exploration comes with its share of risks. Participants may face physical hazards, the threat of arrest for illegal activities, and the chance of encountering squatters. Many urban exploration activities could potentially breach local laws, including broadly interpreted anti-terrorism regulations, and may be classified as trespassing or invasion of privacy. Additionally, meeting squatters—individuals living in abandoned or neglected properties—can create unpredictable and potentially hazardous situations.

In the UK, many individuals mistakenly believe that trespassing is a criminal offense. When you step onto someone else's land without permission, it is indeed classified as trespass. However, most people assume it falls under criminal law, while in reality, it is a civil issue between the trespasser and the property owner.

So, is urban exploring truly against the law? While there are legal boundaries, not everything about urban exploration is illegal. If you find yourself charged with breaking and entering, damaging property, stealing, or carrying tools that the police consider "going equipped," like a crowbar or screwdriver, you could face criminal charges.

Fortunately, a responsible urban explorer typically has no reason to engage in illegal activities like breaking and entering or theft. If security personnel approach you, they may assert that your actions are unlawful and threaten to call the police. In such situations, it’s best to remain calm and straightforward about your intentions, explaining that it’s a civil matter and there’s no need for police involvement.

This varies from location to location, but my normal camera bag always contains the following.

• Fuji X-T2 + Various lenses

• Manfrotto BeFree MKBFRA4-BH Tripod

• Ledlenser P7R SE

• Ledlenser HF4R Core Rechargeable Head Torch

• SanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro SD Cards

• SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II USB-C Card Reader

• Manfrotto MB MA2-BP-H Advanced² Hybrid 3in1 Backpack

• External Flash

• Climbing Gloves

• Spare Batteries

• Sistema Stainless Steel Water Bottle

GRONK; Slang, (noun) A person that is totally lacking in fashion sense, motor skills and/or social skills, usually a total moron.