September 21st, 2006

Hundreds of fans who were set to see Chico, one of last year’s 12 finalists in the UK talent show X Factor, hosted by judges that include Simon Cowell, were disappointed to find that much of the area had to be cordoned off because of asbestos chunks that littered the vicinity.

Chico, who became a hit on the X Factor last year, was due to come to a store at Queen’s Square earlier this week. Hopeful fans had been waiting to catch the star, but when staff opened up the store they found that chunks of asbestos had been thrown from a roof by local thugs.

Police were called in, and authorities quickly had much of the area cordoned off for the safety of the public. Wardens had to patrol the area in order to help keep families away from the danger. The teenagers that threw the asbestos from the roof managed to get away, even though police were called that same evening.

One officer sent out a warning to the gang of teenagers and others like them, when he stated: "The roofs are used as emergency escape routes only, and are not play areas. If anyone goes up there we will send officers up to investigate, and therefore are forced to put more people at risk of serious injury. We strongly advise for people to stay away, or someone will get hurt."