Police have this afternoon issued an urgent warning over ‘extremely dangerous’ behaviour by children.
It’s at West Haddlesey Lock near Selby.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We are dealing with an extremely dangerous and ongoing situation where children are jumping into the lock from height, surrounded by hard concrete walls, in an operational waterway managed by the Canal & River Trust.
“This is not a swimming spot. This is not safe.
“The lock walls are solid – a fall or collision could be fatal.
“This is a working lock – water levels and conditions can change without warning.”
There have also been reports of children falling ill after entering the water.
Police are urging parents not to drop off children in the area. And if they suspect their youngsters have been swimming and then have diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or flu-like symptoms they should seek immediate medical advice.
Anyone who sees children acting dangerously in the area is asked to call 999.
Officers have issued several dispersal orders in this area. They are stepping up patrols here too.
They also point out that the lock is privately owned by the Canal and Rivers Trust and anyone on site other than for legitimate use of the lock is trespassing.
It comes after there have been 11 drowning deaths across the country during the heatwave, many involving children.
