Police in Folkestone have urged parents whose young children are having fun in the sun to ensure that they are properly supervised.

Officers are concerned that children enjoying the fountain water feature at Folkestone Harbour are being allowed to wander too freely whilst parents are enjoying a drink or something to eat nearby.

PC Richard Leivers from the Shepway East neighbourhood team said: “We very definitely do not want to be killjoys and the fountain is a great facility for Folkestone but I am concerned that a few parents are not keeping a close enough eye on their children.

“Most parents sit close by and next to the fountain, watching their children. Some, however, are letting them run back and forth across the paved road between the fountain and the pub which is a road that cars and other vehicles use to get down to the harbour.”

Nearby traders have also expressed safety concerns to PC Leivers and police community support officer colleague Tara Liam. They have also highlighted that some children are allowed to run round naked in the summer sun, with little or no protection.

Parents are advised to ensure children are covered up and for more advice got to www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/Sunprotectioneyesandskin.aspx
 

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©