Resist open water swimming to cool off, say police

A police force has issued a warning about the danger of open water swimming following reports of young people jumping off a bypass into a river.

Cambridgeshire Police said young people had been seen using a rope swing to jump off the March bypass into the River Nene, as well as swimming in Manea Pit.

Ahead of warm weather over the May bank holiday weekend, the force and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service have urged people to resist cooling off by entering waterways.

The plea comes after a body of a 16-year-old boy was found on 3 April, after he went missing while swimming at Crown Lakes in Farcet, Peterborough.

The fire service said there were groups of swimmers who did meet for open water swimming during the warmer months and did so safely.

It said the warnings were "aimed at parents and carers to talk to their children about the dangers of swimming in open water unsupervised".

Cambridgeshire Police said to dial 999 "if you spot someone in trouble" and warned the public "not to carry out rescues on your own".

Paul Clarke, the lead for water safety at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "In a few short days we have seen the heartbreaking consequences of swimming in open water.

"Not only the incident in Farcet... but also a similar tragedy in London involving a 15-year-old boy.

"It really brings into sharp focus just how dangerous swimming in open water can be where the risks are not considered.

"It's also really important to remember that open water can be deeper than expected, with unseen hazards below the surface.

"The water may also look calm on the surface, but there may still be strong undercurrents, especially near locks, that could pull even the strongest swimmer under."

The fire service has issued safety tips and guides for what to do when going open water swimming on its website.

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