Every time we get a hot spell, some people in East Lancashire lose all trace of common sense.

In the past couple of weeks since temperatures soared, a total of 13 people around the country have drowned in rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

There have also been ample public warnings about the seemingly obvious dangers of diving into waters that are likely to be so cold that swimmers could easily find themselves crippled by cramp – not to mention the risk of being injured by submerged objects.

As if that isn’t bad enough, many of those who get themselves into serious trouble have also been drinking. Alcohol and swimming in this context make a mix that greatly increases the chances of a lethal outcome.

Yet despite the fact that the risks have been spelled out over and over again, today we see idiots brazenly leaping into the Leeds and Liverpool Canal alongside the main road linking Blackburn and Darwen.

Their actions are plain stupid and also put at risk those who may well have to rescue them.

It’s a shame that police cannot arrest them on sight.