Police presence reported at Ashworth Reservoir in Norden

A number of police vehicles and other emergency service resources have been reported at Ashworth Reservoir near Norden this evening.

Photographs shared by members of the public appear to show several emergency service vehicles gathered near the reservoir. At the time of publication, there has been no official confirmation regarding the nature of the incident.

Rochdale Daily will not speculate on the circumstances surrounding the police presence and will update this article if Greater Manchester Police or other emergency services release further information.

Reservoir safety

Reservoirs can present serious dangers, even during warm weather. Although the surface may appear calm, the water is often significantly colder than expected, which can trigger cold water shock, rapid loss of muscle control and difficulty breathing.

Hidden hazards including steep underwater drop-offs, deep silt, submerged debris, strong currents around inlets and outlet structures, and rapidly changing water depths can also make self-rescue extremely difficult. Even experienced swimmers can quickly find themselves in difficulty.

United Utilities and emergency services consistently advise members of the public not to enter reservoirs for swimming due to these risks. If someone gets into difficulty in the water, members of the public are advised to call 999 immediately and avoid entering the water themselves wherever possible.