by Tricia Jamieson

Police were called to two incidents of youths skating on frozen ponds despite them being fenced off.

It happened on Wednesday at Radnor Park in Folkestone.

Concerned members of the public had called police after seeing the youth sskating on two ponds.

Officers were first called at 4.40pm when children were seen on the duck pond. They were called again at 7.23pm when three youngsters, aged around 12, were seen skidding across the large fishing pond in Radnor Park Avenue.

Police kept a close eye on the area and alerted Shepway District Council which looks after both ponds.

Sgt John Merritt said: "Children and adults should stay away from frozen ponds as there is the obvious danger of falling through the ice."

Police also received several calls from people complaining about snowballs being thrown at houses or cars.

There was a report of men throwing snowballs at passing cars in Cheriton High Street shortly before 10pm on Wednesday.

An elderly lady in east Folkestone called police after snowballs were thrown at her window and there was also a complaint about youths throwing snowballs in Taylor’s Lane, St Mary’s Bay.

Sgt Merritt said: "We don’t want to stop people having fun in the snow, but they should do so safely and responsibly. We have received a number of calls from people who have found throwing snowballs to be a nuisance."

Shepway council spokesman Owain East said the lower pond in Radnor Park had been drained to be cleaned which was why there was fencing round it.

He added: "We would like to re-enforce the warning sent out by the police and urge people not to take risks by skating on the ice of our ponds or water courses.

"It is highly dangerous as there is no way of telling how thin the ice is until it is too late."