GROUPS of young adults putting their lives at risk by swimming in rivers have been warned of the dangers of fast-flowing and cold water.

Fifteen men and women in their early 20s were caught swimming in the River Tees, near to the Green Bridge, at Barnard Castle, after spending the evening drinking in their hometown of Darlington.

GROUPS of young adults putting their lives at risk by swimming in rivers have been warned of the dangers of fast-flowing and cold water.

Fifteen men and women in their early 20s were caught swimming in the River Tees, near to the Green Bridge, at Barnard Castle, after spending the evening drinking in their hometown of Darlington. 

Police were called to the pitch black scene at around 10pm on Thursday night (August 25) after concerned residents had seen the group removing their clothes to enter the river which had swelled following recent downpours.

PC Gary Dunn arrived at the river bank before the group managed to get themselves safely out of the fast-flowing river of their own accord.

However, PC Dunn warned the swimmers of the dangers of cold water shock and drinking alcohol before swimming in unsupervised water.

PC Dunn, of Durham Police, said: “After a week when so many lives have been lost in the water around the UK, I was truly flabbergasted at their actions.

“They had all been drinking and yet still entered the river. It was pitch black, with the only light coming from the pedestrian footbridge.

“As I approached the group they were putting their clothes and shoes back on and they slipped and stumbled away from the river after being instructed by myself.

“They agreed in hindsight that having been for a meal and drinks in the town, the idea to go down to the river was dangerous in the least.”

Throughout the month of August, 21 calls have been made to Cleveland Police over reports of youths swimming in the Hartlepool Marina.

Inspector Mal Suggitt, of Hartlepool’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Large boats turn around in this area and people can’t easily be seen.

“Youths are putting themselves in danger of serious injury or worse and we would ask that parents remind their children of these dangers. 

“We have recently identified a number of youths that had been swimming in the marina and we have visited them in their homes with their parents present to advise them of the dangers of their actions.”

The string of worrying incidents come shortly after County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Services launched their Drowning and Water Prevention Week in a bid to combat against water safety issues.

Acting Sergeant Dave Williamson, of Barnard Castle Police, added: “We want to reinforce the message that open water, whether on the coast, lakes or rivers can be potentially dangerous.

“The Tees is a fast-flowing river and at night presents a dangerous place to be.”

Five men in their teens and early 20s all drowned after a day trip to an East Sussex beach, Camber Sands, earlier this week.