A dispersal order has been issued around Audenshaw Reservoir in a bid to stop people from swimming in the water.
The order allows police to ask anyone within the vicinity around the reservoir to leave the area and not return. People are already banned from swimming in the waters, owned by United Utilities, but the order makes it illegal.
It comes amid a heatwave in our region, with police issuing a stark warning that the risks of 'injury and death in open water are very real'. Officers shared a map of the area covered by the dispersal order this morning.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link.
A post on the GMP Tameside Facebook page this morning said: "S.35 DISPERSAL AUTHORITY GRANTED 15/06/2023. Authority granted to direct any person who is in a public place in the locality of Audenshaw Reservoir, bordered by Corporation Road, Stamford Road, Taylor Lane and the M60 (see attached map) to - a) leave the locality (or part of the locality), and b) not to return to the locality (or part of the locality) for the period specified.
"This area is privately owned land and no member of the public has authority to enter. 13 Dispersal Notices have already been issued. The waters can be tempting during these prolonged periods of dry and warm weather, but the risks of injury and death in open water are very real."
This comes following the tragic death of 15-year-old Abbie Walton in the River Etherow in Broadbottom on Wednesday night (June 14). The youngster was sadly pronounced dead despite the best efforts of paramedics, after police were called to reports of a person in difficulty in the water.
In June 2018, Dwayne Thompson died after getting into difficulty in Audenshaw Reservoir. Dwayne's mum said her son, who had autism, didn't understand signs warning people not to swim in the water.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
