Police have thanked residents for staying away from Dove stone Reservoir as emergency services continue operations there.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Andy Holian for Saddleworth and Lees said officers have been patrolling to keep the site clear so Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service can work without obstruction.

During a patrol on Friday, July 31, Sgt Holian found road closure barriers and signs at the entrance to Bank Lane, at its junction with Holmfirth Road, had been moved. They were repositioned to block access to the Dove stone car park.

At the car park, officers stopped a group of young men from West Yorkshire. A stop and search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act led to one person being dealt with for possessing cannabis, and the group was removed from the area.

As officers left, they found three separate groups walking into the area. All were told about the closure of Dove stone, surrounding moorland and public footpaths before being asked to leave.

Sgt Holian stressed that all those encountered were visitors, not local residents. He warned that anyone entering the restricted area will be dealt with robustly and thanked the community for its cooperation.