More council and police patrols this weekend in Rotherham after teenage drowning

There'll be more hot weather this weekend, a week after a Sam Haycock drowned in Ulley Reservoir

Author: Ben BasonPublished 4th Jun 2021

Extra police and council staff will be patrolling in Rotherham this weekend after a teenager drowned in Ulley Reservoir a week ago today.

With more hot weather expected, Operation Keep Safe will be out looking for safeguarding risks among young people.

It's made up of a number of organisations like emergency services and council staff.

It comes after 16 year old Sam Haycock drowned in Ulley Reservoir a week ago today after getting into difficulty in the water.

Leanne Buchan is Head of Creative Programming and Engagement at Rotherham Council:

"It's a number of multi agency partners that have the powers to meet with children and young people on site and take them back home if they do feel that they are at risk.

"So we will have increased patrols and we will have increased demonstrations coming up over the coming weeks and months around how to use throwlines."

Sam Haycock drowned in Ulley Reservoir last Friday

There are fresh calls for more education around water safety for young people after the tragic events of last Friday.

Rother Valley Mp Alexander Stafford says it's vital:

"It's absolutely devastating. And I think we need to make the message clear: don't go swimmming in the reservoirs, because it's just not worth it. We need to protect ourselves - I know it's hot weather but do look after yourselves, look after you friends, look after your family, and do explain the dangers of playing around these areas.

"They are dangerous places. And we need to make sure that young people are told that at schools. Especially when people like going to these places when it's hot weather, when they're celebrating the end of exams or the end of school. There needs to be reinforced messaging from the schools and from the parents. No parent should have to go through what Samuel's parents are going through."

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