floodGMP has joined forces with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to demonstrate to the public the importance of being safe when near the water.

The initiative - which saw a team of specialist officers carry out a rescue and body recovery in Piccadilly Basin last week - comes after a spate of five water incidents in Manchester city centre in the past month.

GMP Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin said: “The canals form part of our city’s great history, but all too often they are hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons and we cannot stand by and let another tragedy take place.

"While we have a responsibility to keep the public safe, we need members of the public to help us by taking some personal responsibility and looking after themselves and their friends, especially on a night out."

GMFRS’ Andy Heywood said: “Sadly, our crews in Manchester are regularly responding to incidents on the city’s river and canal network. We’ve rescued people stuck in mud, on canal locks with broken bones, and, tragically, in some cases, the people we’ve pulled from the water haven’t survived."

Watch RLSS water safety tip videos here