POLICE are warning youngsters that they are risking their lives by playing on ice at Arrow Valley Lake and Matchborough Pond in Redditch.

The warning follows calls from concerned residents who have reported seeing children skating or playing on the frozen water.

Local policing officers say that patrols near these locations have been stepped up and that they will be asking schools in the area to reinforce the safety messages regarding ice and frozen rivers, ponds and lakes over the coming days.

Urging youngsters to stay away from frozen water, Pc Paul Kennedy, local policing officer for Winyates said: “We cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to step on to the frozen surface of ponds and lakes. It’s impossible to know how thick the ice is and anyone falling through into the freezing water below could be in serious trouble very quickly, possibly with fatal consequences.”

Councillor Juliet Brunner, portfolio holder for community safety with Redditch Council added: “The last thing anyone wants is for there to be a tragedy on one of our ponds or on the lake. I would urge everyone to keep safe and stay well away from them.”