CHILDREN as young as nine have been captured on CCTV jumping from roof tops at a Belfast hospital.
The images of the young people running and moving from roof to roof at the Royal Victoria Hospital have been released in a bid to warn those involved of the dangers they face.
The Belfast trust last night appealed to the young people to "think about the impact their activities have on our patients, as well as their own safety".
Police have also said they are aware of the "disruptive and reckless" actions of youths that "could end up causing upset and injury".
CCTV images released by the health trust show youths, believed to be aged from nine to early teens, sitting on roof tops at the hospital as well as balancing and jumping from roof to roof.
The footage captures the young people - inclduing both boys and girls - at several roof top locations across the large site off the Grosvenor Road, including the Children's Hospital and the intensive care unit.
It is also understood that at Halloween, fireworks were set off from the top of the Children's Hospital.
The Belfast trust has warned that someone could be seriously injured or worse.
"Our concern is the comfort and wellbeing of our patients, some of whom are extremely unwell," a spokeswoman said.
"This sort of activity adds to their distress, as well as being very unsettling for the staff who care for them.
"It is also very dangerous for those involved.
"We are constantly reviewing our security measures to keep the environment safe, but we would appeal to them to think about the impact their activities have on our patients, as well as their own safety."
PSNI Sergeant Anthony Greene also said: "Our neighbourhood officers work closely with the Belfast Trust on anti-social behaviour and our patrols provide additional support to the security team at the Royal Victoria Hospital site throughout the week and during weekends.
"We are aware of young people involved in actions that are both disruptive and reckless - and could end up causing upset and injury.
"They run the risk of also ending up with a criminal record.
"I would also appeal to parents in the area to be aware of where their children are, and what they are up to.
"We all have a responsibility to work together and make this part of west Belfast a safer community in which to live."
