Overview
- Police, fire crews and paramedics were called to Stanley Pool on Wednesday after reports that six teenagers had entered the reservoir and all were out of the water on arrival with no one needing treatment.
- Officers have attended multiple incidents this week and in recent weeks at Bateswood Nature Reserve, Hanley Park and Whitfield Valley where youngsters were seen swimming or cooling off in ponds and lakes.
- Emergency services repeatedly advise people not to enter open water to attempt rescues and to call 999, use reach-and-throw methods and follow 'float to live' guidance instead.
- The Education Secretary has asked schools to teach water-safety lessons after a late-May hot spell when at least 15 people drowned in open water across the country.
- Authorities warn that hidden hazards such as cold-water shock, strong undercurrents and submerged debris make unsupervised lakes and reservoirs dangerous and say people should choose lifeguarded or supervised swimming locations.