A missing 14-year-old boy from Richmond is believed to have drowned after getting into difficulty in the River Thames.

Emergency services were called after a child had been seen entering the water at Tagg’s Island in Hampton at 4.43pm yesterday (July 18).

Police officers, ambulance and fire crews along with members of the public helped to carry out a search to find the 14-year-old.

They could not find him and the rescue operation ended at 6.40pm.

Emergency services continued a search into yesterday evening to recover his body.

The victim’s next of kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. His “tragic” death has prompted a pleading warning from the Met Police not to jump into open water – no matter how appealing it might look on hot days.

Superintendent Richard Smith, from the South West Command Unit, is urging others to be “the person” in a friendship group to “say no” and offer reminders of the dangers.

He explained: “Despite the very best efforts of all involved, we must now sadly conclude that this young boy has died.

“His death is a tragedy, and I cannot begin to imagine what his family will be going through.

“All our thoughts are with them.

“I know that on days like today when temperatures are at a record high, it might look appealing to jump in and cool off in rivers, reservoirs, lakes or other open water.

“Please don’t. The dangers are real and this evening in Richmond we have seen the terrible consequences of what happens when it goes wrong.

“To young people in particular, I would urge you to be the person in your group of friends who says no and reminds others about the dangers. Your intervention could save a life and save another family from experiencing such an awful loss.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “At 16:43hrs on Monday, 18 July police were alerted by the London Ambulance Service to reports that a child had been seen to enter the water at Tagg’s Island in Hampton.

“Officers responded with paramedics and the London Fire Brigade.

“An extensive search was carried out involving all three emergency services and members of the public.

“Very sadly, efforts to locate the boy were unsuccessful and at 18:40hrs, the rescue operation was brought to an end.

“Efforts to recover his body will continue into this evening.

“His next of kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.”