Warnings issued after children found playing on ice in Carlisle
Emergency services have been at Hammonds Pond
Emergency services in Carlisle are urging parents to have conversations with their children about staying away from icy ponds or lakes.
Carlisle East firefighters and Carlisle Police officers have been at Hammonds Pond for the past two days (4th and 5th January) following reports of children on the ice.
Officers say children as young as ten have been walking on the ice.
They're urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of falling through and cold water shock.
An increase in firefighters and officers is to be expected by bodies of water in Carlisle to act as a deterrent.
A Carlisle East Fire Station spokesperson said, "Even while we were next to the pond, numerous children were standing on the ice, goading ourselves and the police officers.
"This is extremely dangerous, and the ice is unpredictable and very thin in some places- made harder to see by the thin covering of frost on the ice.
"Please could parents speak to their children and educate them on the extreme dangers of playing on frozen bodies of water.
"Our crew took this as an opportunity to practice our rescue techniques, but we would much rather not have to perform a rescue in real life, as there is a good chance that this would not end in a happy outcome."
Anyone who sees anyone entering the ice or water is being urged to contact the Fire and Rescue Service, or if in difficulty by calling 999.