CANALS are not the place to cool off this summer.
That’s the message from police in Ellesmere Port who are hoping to stem the usual tide of youngsters who go for an impromptu dip in the town’s waterways.
During the long school summer holidays officers generally see an increase in the number of people swimming and playing in the canals, which not only causes issues for other users of the waterways, but also holds risks for the youths.
Police Community Support Officer Mark Delamere, of Ellesmere Port Community Action Team, said: “We understand the temptation for kids to use the canals as a way to have a quick swim and to cool off when the weather is hot.
“But often they have not considered the danger they are putting themselves in or the level of nuisance they are creating for others.
“Canals can be extremely dangerous. Although they may not have particularly strong currents they can be very deep and cold and can be cause problems for even the strongest swimmers.”
