UK Teens Using Google Earth To Throw Raucous Pool Parties

Teenagers in the UK are using Google Earth to find homes with swimming pools in their area and then communicating the locations of the pools on Facebook so they can have impromptu pool parties with their friends.

Police said some homeowners are waking up to find teens swimming in their pools and other have arrived home after work to find their pools littered with beer cans.

Those who participate in the "dipping" parties typically wear nice clothes and are instructed to "bring a bike" so they can make a quick getaway.

One group bragged online that it held a pool party on Monday night where 16 people went to two pools. The group posted a specific meeting place for between midnight and 3am and gave out cell phone numbers for the organizers.

Invitations to the pool parties were sent to over 500 members of Facebook Comments left by fans of the group indicate that the trend could be growing and encourage other events.

"One message reads: "You crazy lot and your crazy antiks (sic). Don’t think I can make it but maybe I can do it on my own in London."

A police spokesman said," We are advising owners of swimming pools to be on their guard and extra vigilant," according to the Telegraph. "We would also warn prospective swimmers that using someone else’s pool is trespassing and therefore illegal."

There are 7 Comments. Add Yours.

b2wam
June 20, 2008 at 1:51 pm

too bad this seems to be prominent in Europe where you arent allowed to have guns…
- Mo
  June 22, 2008 at 2:57 pm
  
  Yeah, we know what guns and water lead to…wild party
Nymous
June 22, 2008 at 12:33 pm

Yes, because in the USA where, you can have guns, you would certainly fire on teenagers using your pool without authorization ! That’s why I wouldn’t live in the US… among quite a few other reasons!!
- Guest
  June 22, 2008 at 1:24 pm
  
  That’s BS. In the Unitied States you cannot shoot someone for swimming in your pool. You can only shoot someone if your life is being threatened so get your facts straight before blowing off your mouth.
Kinembe
June 22, 2008 at 7:53 pm

I did it when i was a kid, it’s part of growing up. BFD!
Guest
June 23, 2008 at 1:17 pm

It’s called trespassing on private property moron (reply 06/22/2008 – 1:24pm)! You have the right to protect your private property by any means. At least in the "country" of Texas you do.

I would be nice enough to fire a warning shot and give them time to escape before I actually started aiming for legs or butts with a load of rock salt in the shotgun.

I was raised to respect other people’s property and knew better than to trespass. It would do these kids well to learn some respect and stop being so selfish. Yes, selfish.

I would be surprised if even one of these miscreants gave two seconds of thought to what it takes to keep a pool clean and the cost involved to maintain one and what effect they will have on the pool by a big group of them jumping in with there nice clothes on.

The one thing I see more and more from young people today is a loss of respect for others and their things. It is all about "me" these days. Exactly what the government and media wants becasue united we stand and divided we fall.

I sincerely hope that none of them has to get hurt or killed before they learn this lesson. Not everyone has the patience, wisdom or the intelligence to put up with their antics.
But...
June 25, 2008 at 11:29 am

I’m a teenager and I still think that that is wrong – it is other peoples’ property. You should respect that. I don’t want people coming and using my stuff without my consent. They should do the same for other people.

Honestly, so many young people (definitely not all) lack respect for simple things.