LFB warns of risks swimming in London's waterways

"People really need to understand when they are entering into a body of water, there is risk," warns Jordan Mitsoullis, from the London Fire Brigade (LFB).

The fire service is urging Londoners to take extra care in the capital's waterways, in particular children as term ends amid the continuing hot weather.

LFB's Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne, adds that although it is tempting to cool off in open water it can be "incredibly dangerous" due to strong currents and hidden debris.

Since 2020 there have been more than 100 accidental drownings across the capital, including a 13-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty in the water at Royal Victoria Dock in east London.

Goulbourne said: "In this weather, it can be tempting for children and young people to cool off in rivers, reservoirs and lakes. However, this can be incredibly dangerous.

"Despite its calm surface, open water can have strong currents, hidden debris, slippery edges, and sudden drops in depth - all of which could prove fatal.

"If you are planning to swim outdoors, do so only in designated areas and ensure that lifeguards and safety equipment are present."

Since May, part of the River Thames in Kingston was designated as a swimming area.

The LFB said fire crews have been visiting this site next to the YMCA Hawker Centre three times a day since May to give out safety advice.

The stretch of the river saw 100 call-outs to the RNLI last year.

Matt Allchurch, from RNLI Teddington, said: "Very often it's because [people] are trying to swim across the river, and they often get into trouble on the way back.

"They've got cold water shock and they're losing the ability to swim, and sadly they end up on the bottom of the river."

The brigade advises people to use the "float to live" approach if they do find themselves in difficulty in the water.

The technique, promoted by the RNLI, involves tilting the head back to submerge the ears, and spreading the arms and legs wide, while regaining control of breathing.

The LFB also encouraged potential swimmers to use its interactive water safety map, which shows more than 1,500 locations where firefighters have attended water-related incidents since 2020.

The map allows users to search for specific waterways, see how risk has changed over time, and find location specific dangers.

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