Safety warning after young men float down River Ouse on lilos

This photo shows the men being helped out of the water at Kings Staith by several police officers.

North Yorkshire Police said it was called at 4.30pm today, when a group of young people were seen to be floating along the river on lilos.

"It was reported that a number of the individuals had entered the river," said a spokeswoman.

"All of the individuals are now out of the river and officers in attendance issued the group with a dispersal order.

"It goes without saying that this was a very dangerous act and could have ended in tragedy.

"We do not want to be killjoys, but the river is extremely dangerous, especially when alcohol is involved.

"We strongly advise people to not enter the river and never, ever go on the river in lilos."

Nine students from York University have been issued with dispersal orders banning them from the city centre for 48 hours after calls from the public reported people in the River Ouse. The River Ouse is a dangerous river and has taken too many lives. #lessdrinkingmorethinking

— NYP York City (@NPTYorkcity) June 6, 2018

A number of people have drowned in the Ouse and Foss rivers after jumping or falling in in recent years, sparking campaigns by The Press to warn people of the dangers.