Warning over urban fitness craze

Leading exponents of Parkour describe it as a way of life

A craze for urban free running which is sweeping a town centre in Surrey has led to police safety warnings.

Several areas in Guildford have become locations for Parkour - the art of free running across buildings and walls.

Police said sites being used included the Friary Centre, flats, bridges, rooftops, subways, and busy car parks.

Sgt Tina Griffiths said people had been swinging across the river using a road bridge, then crossing three lanes of traffic to go down the other side.

"We are not trying to ruin people's fun, but this is a really dangerous activity, which could potentially cause injury to innocent passers-by as well as those who take part," she said.

"We have already spoken to a number of people involved in Parkour and given them advice about moving on."

She added: "Most of the time, the participants have taken this advice but we urge participants to think very seriously about coming to Guildford and indulging in this dangerous pastime."

'Urban playground'

The urban fitness craze aims to move from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, using the abilities of the body to overcome obstacles such as branches, rocks, rails and walls, she said.

Some practitioners have described the craze as an extreme sport, and others as a martial arts discipline.

It has also been described by its leading exponents as a philosophy, or even a way of life.

David Belle is widely credited with having founded the sport as a teenager in the Parisian suburb of Lisses.

He described the built-up environment as his "playground" and said he found freedom by breaking out of the physical constraints of his surroundings.