Youngsters across Renfrewshire are still playing on frozen waterways – despite the tragic deaths of four children who fell through ice at the weekend.
Gleniffer High pupils were spotted walking on the frozen pond at Durrockstock Park on Wednesday, having been warned of the dangers by teachers and school staff.
On the same day, young people were also seen playing near frozen parts of Paisley’s Castle Stanely Reservoir.
Renfrewshire police has also confirmed an increase in calls about children putting themselves in danger near lochs and rivers.
The news comes just days after four boys aged between six and 11 died after falling through ice on a lake in the West Midlands.
The tragic youngsters went into cardiac arrest after being pulled from the freezing water, all later dying in hospital.
Since the heartbreaking tragedy at the weekend, schools across Renfrewshire have been sharing safety advice with pupils, warning youngsters of all ages never to walk on frozen water.
A spokesman for Renfrewshire Council said: “Following the tragic events in Solihull, we have been using social media to warn parents, carers and young people about the dangers of venturing out onto ice covered water.
“We are urging everyone to stay clear of frozen water, not to let children play on ice and not to let pets loose to run on ice.”
Gleniffer High School has issued two posts on Twitter about the dangers of going onto ice-covered water and held S1-4 assemblies on Tuesday to specifically reinforce the safety message.
A second assembly with S5 and S6 students took place yesterday, while an additional letter was also put on the school website, with a link to the letter texted to parents and carers.
Inspector Laura Hamill, of Renfrewshire police, told the Paisley Daily Express that her officers were working with the local authority to stamp out the reckless behaviour.
She said: “Police officers received reports of children playing on ice in the Durrockstock Park area at 3.05pm on Tuesday. When they attended there was no trace of anyone on the ice.
“However, we have had an increase in calls about young people on ice from concerned members of the public. Thankfully, we have had no reports of young people in the water.
“We would ask people of all ages to continue to be vigilant of the risks of ice covered water as this inclement weather continues.”
Inspector Hamill added: “We are giving areas such as Durrockstock Park and the reservoir extra attention where we can and where resources allow.
“We have also been in touch with local schools asking them to relay the safety message to pupils and are encouraging parents to speak with their children to highlight the dangers of playing on, or near, ice covered water especially on their way to or from school.”
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