CHILDREN have been offered free lessons in water safety ahead of the summer holidays.

Teachers and other educational professionals are encouraged to take advantage of an extensive range of free materials to educate children about water safety and drowning prevention. 

Commissioner John Campion said: “This is a mammoth step, towards keeping people safe for generations to come. Education can be key in changing behaviours and I hope my investments will help to create a long-lasting legacy.

"If these resources can prevent just one further tragedy they will be worthwhile.

"The Home and Dry network has come a long way, and it’s with the drive, and expertise of all of the agencies working in partnership that we have been able to reach this point.

"I hope that anyone who works with children in any capacity will take advantage of these excellent resources.”

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Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and the Home and Dry network, the lesson plans and resources are tailored for different ages and key stages from early years at five years old to eleven years old.

West Mercia Police outlined that the materials have been shaped following a thorough analysis of the drowning problem in the area and have included input from a range of agencies including police, fire services, search and rescue and charities including the RNLI and the Canal and River Trust.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said “Water safety education is vital and, in some instances, could be a child’s only opportunity to learn about the water.

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"RLSS UK and the Police and Crime Commissioner have been working hard to put together resources which can be delivered in the classroom or at home, which means while there may be barriers to accessing water, every child can still benefit from water safety education.

“Our water safety resources encourage a safe relationship with the water and we hope it will inspire children to have a future relationship with water, with all the mental and physical benefits that being in, on and around water brings.”