Razor wire installed to keep mansion intruders out

Razor wire has been installed around parts of a crumbling mansion to stop vandals as work continues on a multimillion-pound effort to save it.

The extra security measures have been put in place at Oldway Mansion in Paignton, Devon, one of Torbay's most important historic buildings, after a number of break-ins at the landmark, former home of the Singer sewing machine family.

The Grade II* listed mansion is undergoing the first phase of a £9m restoration to stabilise and weatherproof the building.

Alan Denby, Torbay Council's director of pride in place, told Torbay Place Leadership Board: "Razor wire may not be to everyone's tastes, but there are a huge amount of things that could go wrong."

His comments came after a video posted on TikTok showed a group of at least four people inside the mansion, filming areas including the marble staircase, ballroom and upper floors, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Devon and Cornwall Police have also urged people to stay away from the site, describing break-ins as "nothing more than vandalism" and warning that entering the building was highly dangerous.

Denby told the board meeting the fragile condition of the structures inside Oldway had increased the risks faced by intruders.

The long-term ambition is to restore the mansion as a community asset, with the overall project expected to cost about £54m.

Plans have also been submitted for partial demolition and emergency stabilisation works to prevent further collapse and secure the building's future.

Elsewhere, he updated board members on several regeneration schemes across Torbay, including proposals for Torquay harbourside, new fish processing units in Brixham and the restoration of Torquay Pavilion.

"This is going to be such an important attraction in the future," he said of the Pavilion.

"It is something that 'UK PLC' cannot afford to miss out on."

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