Police team up with partners to make a big splash at water safety event

A group of school children have been left with a fountain of knowledge and essential life-saving tips after attending a water safety day.

Children from St Peter’s Primary School, in Farndon, Newark, spent the whole day at Farndon Marina learning about the dangers of open water and swimming in lakes and rivers.

The children from Years 4, 5, and 6, were left fascinated by demonstrations from Nottinghamshire Police’s underwater search team, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the Environment Agency.

As well as getting to use and try on the equipment that the different teams use to rescue people, they even got the chance to control a special underwater drone used to search on the riverbeds and below the surface.

The demonstrations didn’t stop there though – St John’s Ambulance also attended alongside a number of dummies giving the children life-saving tips and safety advice on how to provide first aid.

Newark’s rural crime team and PCs and PCSOs from the area also spent the day talking to the children and giving them a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment they have to deal with criminals.

The team also educated the children on what rural crime is and the laws surrounding hare coursing, quad bikes, off-road bikes, and poaching, as well as all the work the force is doing to put a stop to rural crime.

A graffiti artist was also on hand creating a one-off mural on the outside of the Farndon Sea Scouts building with each of the students lending a hand to spray painting the wall to leave behind a lasting message to anyone visiting the area.

PC Emma Weatherhill, who organised the event, said: “We know how important it is to teach young people about the dangers of open water swimming and the utterly devastating consequences that can come from people thinking swimming in lakes and rivers is safe.

“By teaming up with our partners and other emergency services it was great to teach them all new skills and give them a chance to speak to us all and ask any questions about the jobs we do.

“Heading into a river or lake in good weather may seem like a good idea to cool down or have fun with friends and be appealing to youngsters and adults too.

“But it is not safe.

“Rivers and lakes are not supervised, whether you’re a child, teenager or adult there are so many dangers that surround heading into the water for a swim – which is why it’s so important we hold days like these.

“This kind of hands-on education and teaming up with our partners and other emergency services will hopefully create lasting memories which will encourage them to make safer decisions around water in the future.

“It was really great to see all of the kids getting involved, asking questions, and also trying their hand at spray painting and leaving behind a mural for all using the riverbank at Farndon to see.

“We will continue doing our part alongside our partners to educate but please make sure your children or people in your care know the dangers surrounding going into open water – even if it’s boiling hot outside don’t take that risk.”