Six new police officers will be drafted in to help cover Salford Quays following the latest tragedy. Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett's announcement today comes after Kalen Waugh, 16, drowned while swimming with friends on Saturday.
The teenager's school, New Park Academy in Eccles, paid tribute to the "cheeky chappy" who was a "clever lad". Last July, Ngapee Merenga, 19, died in the Quays after swimming with teammates.
Crowds were pictured diving into the water despite repeated warnings during the extreme heatwave this week Now the city’s Mayor has revealed six new officers will be recruited to help patrol the Quays area. Mr Dennett also said 34 under-18s were handed warning letters and home visits from police.
READ MORE: Body of man found at south Manchester water park
Four adults have also been hit with fixed penalty notices, according to the Labour mayor, who also called for a safety review. He said each bridge on the Quays is monitored by CCTV, with joint council and police patrols deployed during heatwaves.
Labour Mayor Dennett said: "Greater Manchester Police have agreed to fund six new posts for Salford Quays in recognition that the area requires more resource.
“Not only will this additional resource benefit The Quays and the City of Salford more generally, but it will also ensure that policing resources are retained in adjacent wards of Pendleton & Charlestown, Blackfriars & Trinity, and Broughton. Unfortunately, we cannot prevent all instances of jumping into the water and jumping from bridges in the area and ultimately the tragic loss of this young man’s life has in this instance been the consequence.
“Moving forward we await the outcome of the inquest and coroner’s report into this tragic incident… but I’d also like to inform the City Council today that I have requested officers to commission a third party review, to explore all ideas and suggestions for improving safety at The Quays, reviewing what we currently have in place, whilst also considering what potential improvements could be made.
“However, my advice is clear, outside of organised and supervised activities in open water please, please, please don’t swim or jump into open water in The Quays. Our rivers, canals, reservoirs and lakes across Salford and Greater Manchester the dangers of doing so are far too great."
Paying tribute to Kalen, Mayor Dennett said: “Tragically, many of you will be aware of the young man, Kalen Waugh, who tragically lost his life in Salford Quays after diving into the water.
“I am sure that across this Council Chamber we each extend our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayer to Kalen’s family and friends who must be going through a truly terrible ordeal. However, this tragic event reinforces our commitment to limit the numbers of those swimming unsupervised in the Quays, which also follows a substantial amount of resource this City Council, along with partners, have committed to discouraging such behaviour.”
Following Kalen's death, police and council bosses repeated an urgent warning for the public not to swim or jump off bridges. Det Insp Joanne Johnston, of Swinton CID, said: "We remind the public to avoid being tempted to cool off in reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds.
"We all want to enjoy the warm weather; please make sure you do so in a safe way. Think of your family - look out for your friends."
Last weekend, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service shared harrowing stories from people who have lost loved ones to drowning. One of those is Natalie Lawson, who said in a tearful video: “It’s not worth it. Please listen when we tell you ‘don’t go in it’, it isn’t safe.
“It’s not worth putting your family through this, years down the line . Three years, it’s still raw and it still hurts.”
Following her son Paul 's death in June 2017 at Greenbooth Reservoir in Rochdale after getting into difficulty in the water, Natalie told the Manchester Evening News : "It’s not sunk in yet. I keep expecting him to walk through the door from college.
"I know I’m in shock, and I know it will hit me, when we say goodbye at the funeral. But right now it just doesn’t seem real. I don’t want it to be real. It’s like I’m living a nightmare.”
READ MORE:
Tragedy of boy, 15, found by his mum after he didn't come home from football
Angry tree surgeon dumps quarter of a ton of trimmings onto lawn after customer 'refused to pay'
'Wonderful' mum dies in freak accident celebrating son's 21st birthday
People having a BBQ caused a huge moorland fire last night as bosses slam 'thoughtless' act
