SECURITY measures are being improved after people were seen climbing to the top of a fire station tower.

A photo submitted to a Facebook group showed a couple of figures at the top of scaffolding at Witham Fire Station off Hatfield Road.

Residents who saw the figures called 101 and the fire service, concerned for their safety.

Members of the group said they had seen videos taken by those climbing the scaffolding, but these were quickly removed from the page.

The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is now taking action to secure the site.

Karen Edwards, a Witham resident, said: "I think it should be made safer but sometimes it doesn't matter how secure you make something, people will find a way.

"Sadly in this case there appeared to be bragging about it, with Snapchat videos appearing on the group which were taken from the top of the tower, perhaps the school and parents should do more to educate them about the dangers.

"The thought of what could have happened if they fell from there, they just don't understand the risk."

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's the service's private property so people should respect that and not put their lives in danger by doing such stupid, thoughtless things.

"People would soon be slating the fire depot if their child was to fall and get injured or, god forbid, worse and die through their own actions."

A spokesman from the fire service said they were alerted by a local resident at 4.30pm on Sunday.

They said: "Two people had been seen on scaffolding at Witham Fire Station.

“We immediately attended the station to check the site and to make the area secure.

“Our contractors, who are currently using the scaffolding to carry out repairs on our training tower, were informed of the incident.

"They have visited the station and made the site as secure as possible to avoid this happening again.”