Bosses at Chatham Maritime Trust are asking people not to jump into the basins for a swim during the hot weather.

There have been seven recent incidents where either security staff or police have had to warn and talk to youngsters who have entered the water to cool off.

On one hot day bosses had to speak to a group of 11 children.

Dalia Halpern-Matthews, chief executive, said: “The trust is extremely fortunate to have not only the lovely riverside walk, but also basins one and two on our estate.

“We know they look inviting on a hot summer day, but there are genuine safety risks from swimming in them at this time.

“Not only is the water very cold, there is also submerged items of machinery in the basins and the water quality has not been tested recently.

“We do not have constant supervision of these areas and so we would ask all visitors to and residents of the estate to restrain themselves from the urge to swim.

“Police have been involved, and we are monitoring the area with CCTV.

“The parents of the youngsters concerned are also being contacted.”#

Next summer a new Water Sports Activity Hub including canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, bodyboarding, rowing, sailing, diving, and open water swimming will be opened in the basins.