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Officers have pleaded with parents to warn their children of the dangers of icy water – with kids playing on a frozen pond in the town.

The Shirebrook Safer Neighbourhood Team has received reports of children playing on the frozen pond at the town’s leisure centre.

An SNT spokesperson said: “Whilst we appreciate this may look appealing and fun to the youngsters, we would like to issue a warning of the dangers that can come from playing around on frozen water, and we are appealing to parents, guardians and carers to speak with your children about the dangers!

“No matter how solid the ice may look, it rarely is completely solid and we have been told by the leisure centre that the pond is deeper than it looks.”

Parents have been urged to make sure their children understand the dangers posed by icy water.

READ THIS: Criminal serving 12-year sentence absconds from Derbyshire prison – with public warned not to approach

Venturing onto any body of frozen water can increase the chances of falling in and going into cold water shock – the body's natural reaction to cold temperature.

Symptoms of cold water shock can include:

Gasping for breath and panic.

Rapid breathing.

Rise in blood pressure as your body tries to keep warm.

Muscle cramps and loss of strength.

Cardiac arrest.

Any information can be reported to Derbyshire Police using one of the below methods:

Facebook – send a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

Twitter – direct message the force’s contact centre on @DerPolContact

Website – complete the online contact form

Phone – call 101

You can also anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

Police urge parents in Derbyshire town to warn their children after reports of kids playing on frozen pond