Police patrols to stop children jumping into river
BBCPolice patrols have been stepped up along a village lane in a bid to stop children jumping from a footbridge.
Residents in Mill Lane in Frisby-on-the-Wreake, Leicestershire, said as warmer spring weather has returned, so have last summer's problems of young people congregating around the river.
Children have previously been injured by hidden dangers under the water, according to residents, with one warning: "Somebody is going to get hurt if it carries on."
Melton Mowbray-based PC Ben Tranter said patrols had been increased "before we have to attend a report of a seriously injured child or worse".
PC Tranter said the footbridge is also near a weir and a level crossing.
As well as the risk to children, the groups were causing incidents of trespass on nearby private land and littering, he added.
"Parents, please speak to your children about this - there are a number of other options in the hot weather and a number of better places to cool down," he said.
People living in Mill Lane welcomed the police action.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It's just a really dangerous place to play around, it's just not safe.
"We've had the police round a few times, they've been doing a good job."
Another added: "It's quite intimidating, they come down with music speakers, they're screaming and shouting, there have been drugs smoked, and if you challenge them they can be quite abusive.
"There were a couple of instances last year of kids cutting their feet open - there's a lot of scrap metal and things that people have thrown in, and there does appear to be some metal structures under the water.
"There was also a child that got stuck down there last year and could not get out and had to be hoisted out with a rope.
"It's dangerous. Somebody is going to get hurt if it carries on."
Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
