After widespread parts of Greater Manchester and the UK woke up to a blanket of snow over the weekend, and sub-zero temperatures are continuing to chill the country for most of this week, GMP is now highlighting the dangers of cold and ice water following the deaths of three young children and one still fighting for their life in Solihull.
The three boys – aged eight, 10 and 11 – all passed away after being pulled from the freezing cold water in Babbs Mill Park near Solihull on Sunday (11 December 11), while a fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Following reports that four children had been playing on the ice and had fallen through, emergency services were first called to the scene at 2:36pm on Sunday, before a major rescue operation was launched shortly after.
Three boys have tragically died after falling into the lake at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull yesterday.
The boys were rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water.
Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this devastating time.
The four children were pulled out of the lake in a state of cardiac arrest, with West Midlands Police confirming they “sadly could not be revived”.
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The force has stated that an operation is ongoing at the scene, and said its thoughts are with the family and friends of the children “at this deeply devastating time” – adding that specialist officers are offering them as much support as they can.
The devastating news that the four young children fell through the icy lake has understandably left people shocked nationwide, and now, GMP has quickly issued a warning relating to the bodies of water in our region and has urged parents and guardians to make sure their children are supervised at all times when near lakes or ponds, especially during the current cold snap.
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The force has also emphasised how important it is to ensure children are aware of the dangers of cold water, and what to do should they find themselves in difficulty.
In a statement shared to social media yesterday, GMP Rochdale said: “Following some really tragic news, GMP Rochdale would like to stress the importance of safety around cold water. Please ensure that children are supervised at all times when in the vicinity of cold water and advise children about the dangers of cold water and the impact it can have.”
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) December 12, 2022
“It might be tempting to walk or play on the frozen water but the ice can easily break. The temperature of the water is cold enough to take your breath away and lead to drowning. Never venture onto frozen water, even if it appears thick from the bank, it becomes thinner very quickly.
“Our message is simple – stay safe, stay off the ice.”
Royal Life Savers Society (RLSS UK) has some useful advice and tips on how to speak to your child about the dangers of frozen water, which you can read here, and find out more about what to do it you see someone struggling on the GMFRS website here.
Featured Image – West Midlands Police
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Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Daisy Jackson
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Police release footage of missing Manchester man Adeo Alston-Ekpei’s last-known movements
Emily Sergeant
Video footage showing the last-known movements of a Manchester man who’s been missing for three weeks now has been released.
Detectives at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are continuing to search for Adeo Alston-Ekpei, who has not been seen since Friday 16 May.
The 25-year-old was seen in Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury at around 3pm, before later being seen walking down Kingsway away from Manchester and close to the River Mersey, at around 5.20pm that same day.
Multiple lines of enquiry being explored by police at present, but anyone who believes they may have seen him from around this time, is asked to get in touch.
Adeo is described as being a mixed-race male, with long curly black hair and a long singular dreadlock, and bleached eyebrows. He has a cupid’s bow piercing and a right eyebrow piercing. He also has an ‘AKA’ tattoo on his right wrist, and a ‘24’ tattoo in the right side of his chest.
He was last seen wearing long blue denim shorts, an undone green short-sleeved button-up shirt, and white Adidas trainers.
Friends have also recently set up a public fundraiser to help with the search for Adeo.
Adeo Alston-Ekpei has been missing for almost three weeks / Credit: GMP
“We are dedicated to finding Adeo and getting much-needed answers for his family,” commented Detective Inspector Kelly, from GMP’s Manchester district, as the footage was released to the public this week.
“I would ask any residents around the Kingsway area, and surrounding housing estates off Kingsway into Gately, and who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from around this time, to please check and get in touch if you have any information.
“Likewise, if anyone believes they have seen Adeo, please get in touch with one of our officers. Any information is appreciated and investigated as we continue our work.”
#MISSING | We are continuing to ask for information relating to missing Adeo, who was last seen on May 16.
We have additionally released CCTV footage showing Adeo’s last known movements on Kingsway, Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2025
A spokesperson for Adeo’s family described the missing man as ‘kind, funny, and intelligent’ with a ‘huge heart’, but they say he ‘wasn’t himself when he disappeared’.
“He may have come across as agitated, lost, or confused,” the spokesperson admitted. “In his last call to his mum, he was in a very vulnerable state.”
Anyone with any information regarding Adeo’s whereabouts is urged to contact South Manchester CID directly on 0161 856 6051 or 0161 856 6063, or you can use the LiveChat function on GMP’s website and quote log number 838 of 18/05/25.
Alternatively, you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
13th December 2022 
