A new partnership has been established to enhance safety on waters across Cumbria.

The Cumbria Water Safety Forum, spearheaded by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, groups together several organisations.

The aim is to devise and deliver actions and campaigns to lessen the total number of individuals who suffer severe injury or death on and around the water.

In addition to the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, the forum comprises of Cumbria Constabulary, Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, North West Ambulance Service, WaterWise Cumbria, Water Safety Matters, National Trust, Royal Life Saving Society, Lake District National Park Authority, United Utilities, RNLI, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, and HM Coastguard.

The first meeting witnessed the setting out of the Forum's terms of reference, planned actions and strategies, and the methods to evaluate them.

Objectives encompass analysing water-related incident data and identifying high-risk areas to deliver water safety prevention activities.

Additionally, the forum plans to leverage media to transmit safety messages to Cumbria’s residents and tourists.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Rick Ogden, launched the forum alongside Mike Johnson, Cumbria’s Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

CFO Ogden said: "Understanding the complexities of water, safety and the number of different agencies involved is unique to Cumbria; from rescues, to flooding, to educating our residents and visitors.

"From a strategic level to the tactical operations of a live rescue incident, there is real value in the joined-up approach that this group can bring."

Mr Johnson said: "Cumbria draws in millions of tourists every year to enjoy our lakes and we want to ensure that everyone - tourists and residents - can enjoy the county’s lakes, rivers and coastline safely.

"I’m looking forward to seeing how partners work together to increase water safety across the county and how the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner can help assist with this goal."