Historical fort explorers stopped by injunction

Urban explorers who visit Spitbank Fort may be held in contempt of court, according to a new injunction

An injunction to stop urban explorers visiting a historic fort has been granted.

Spitbank Fort, between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, was originally built to deter a French invasion in the 19th Century and later converted into a luxury hotel before being sold in 2024.

The injunction granted on Wednesday prevents "anyone from climbing upon, or otherwise entering, occupying or remaining upon any part of Spitbank Fort" without permission.

Hannah Dare, partner at Steele Raymond representing the Hampshire fort's owner Fortify Solent, said the purpose of the order was to protect the site as well as keep people safe.

Spitbank Fort sits in the Solent between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight

"There've been quite a number of people accessing the fort, going over there by boat or by paddleboard, to film themselves wandering around outside and inside the fort and posting it on social media in order to generate likes and comments," said Ms Dare.

The property was not safe to get to, "not very safe to be in there, and if somebody were to get trapped inside it there's no mobile phone signal", she added.

People visiting the site had to break locks to get in, she added, saying the videos suggested the place was abandoned and people could just "wander in".

"That's not true at all - it's private property," Ms Dare said.

"The comments that go alongside [the videos] are people saying 'we're gonna go too'… at that point you've got to do something."

'Thrilled'

Ms Dare said the injunction meant anyone trespassing would automatically be in contempt of court and may be liable to criminal sanctions, adding her client was "thrilled" it had been granted.

"It's a relief, I think, that something has now been done to prevent people going across and using it," she said.

"It's a really cool building and it's been converted into this luxury hotel… you can see the fascination but at the end of the day it's private property."