Families are being cautioned following “several” reports of missing children at beaches, as people flock to the coast to make the most of the warm weather. Police have issued a statement urging the public to ensure that children are not left unsupervised at the seaside, warning that beaches can be “very dangerous places”.
In recent weeks, the combination of clear skies, sunshine and the Easter holidays has drawn large crowds to the coast. Several children have been reported missing on beaches in Lancashire, where families have gathered to enjoy the good weather. Many have been visiting spots along the Fylde coast, including Blackpool.
However, in just the past two days, officers have responded to ‘several reports of missing children’, according to Lancashire Police.
The force stated that a ‘significant amount’ of police and coastguard resources had been deployed to assist in the search for the children in what they described as ‘avoidable’ incidents — diverting officers away from other policing duties.
A post shared by Fylde Police specifically highlighted the dangers of leaving children unattended, particularly the risk they may face if they get into difficulty in the water. It noted that a ‘significant amount of police and coastguard resources’ have been committed to these incidents.