THE NUMBER of people walking on frozen rivers has sparked an urgent warning from North Yorkshire Police.

Incidents have included a 32-year-old man being rescued from Scarborough Open Air Theatre, and children playing on a canal near Selby and ponds in York, Harrogate and Ripon.

On December 23, officers in Knaresborough moved on young people playing on the River Nidd near to Mother Shipton’s Cave on three occasions.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Stepping onto areas of frozen water is extremely dangerous and potentially fatal.

“Not only are these foolish individuals placing themselves in perilous danger, they are also risking the safety of those who come to their aid if they get in difficulty.”

More ice and snow is on the way with the Met Office releasing warnings for today about a band of heavy snow spreading northeastwards and expected to leave a up to 12 centimetres of snow, or up to 15cm on higher ground.

The continued cold weather is expected to cause further disruption to transport networks and there will be a continuing risk of widespread ice.