Youngsters playing on frozen Hemlington lake have sparked a police warning as temperatures across Teesside remain sub-zero.
Cleveland Police took to its social media pages on Saturday afternoon after several reports of youngsters playing on frozen Hemlington Lake. It comes after a wintery snap across the region which saw thermometers dip to -1C in places leaving areas of water, as well as footpaths and roads, covered in thick ice.
Officers warned parents and children that although skidding and skating on ice-covered ponds and lakes may seem like fun, it is actually very dangerous.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “Officers are warning youngsters of the dangers of frozen lakes and ponds, following reports of children playing on the frozen lake in Hemlington this afternoon, Saturday 11th January. Whilst this may seem like fun, the ice can easily break and youngsters could fall into the water which will be at an extremely low temperature. This could cause hyperthermia and could be fatal. Please don’t take any risks and stay away from frozen ponds and lakes.”
The alert came as temperatures on Teesside on Saturday briefly reached highs of only 2C throughout the day – before falling back below freezing to -1C.
On Sunday temperatures are due to remain at 0C from midnight until 4am, when they will drop further to -1C. By 9am it will be 0C and come 11am the Met Office predicts highs of 2C, by midday 3C, and by 1pm 4C before tapering off again.
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