Children from as young as five-years-old are being left unattended at local swimming pools for several hours while their parents go about their weekend routines.

Frustrated police officers from the Kuring Gai local area control have slammed negligent carers who are leaving their children at the Hornsby Aquatic Centre on Sydney's north shore, after several incidents in which they said police had to take on the role of babysitters.

'Since the Hornsby Aquatic Centre (pool) opened last year, Hornsby police have been contacted a number of times by pool staff advising that young children have been 'dropped off' by parents, who then leave the centre completely,' a statement from the police station said.

Frustrated police officers from the Kuring Gai local area control have slammed negligent carers who are leaving their children at the Hornsby Aquatic Centre (pictured) on Sydney's north shore

'It is assumed the parents or carers go shopping etc, (hopefully not to the pub) while these children are left unsupervised.'

Despite the pools clear signage and rules advising that children under 13-years-old must be supervised by a carer, police have said that the incidents continued to occur.

'A few cases occurred early after the opening but recently the incidents have increased,' the statement continues.

'Police have been called to pick up children as young as 5 or 6 [sic] from the pool as no parent could be found in the centre.'

The statement described one incident in which police were called to pick up a six-year-old child after the pool's closing hours.

In their warning on Facebook (left) officers described one incident in which police were called to pick up a six-year-old child after the pool's closing hours: 'It took nearly six hours before the parent showed up to collect the child... the child was not distressed and it seemed like a normal occurrence' (stock image, right)

'It took nearly six hours before the parent showed up to collect the child,' it read.

'The child was not distressed and it seemed like a normal occurrence and the parent was not fussed about the whole thing.'

Aside from wasting police resources, officers warn that the practice could lead to tragedy.

'At the Aquatic centre there are only so many staff which includes life guards. They scan the pool areas regularly, but are not everywhere. With dozens even hundreds of patrons it would not take much for a child to slip under the water unnoticed and drown.'

'It must be noted the pool is not your private day care or child care centre. You as a parent or legal carer are responsible for the child.'

Despite DOCs or the Department of Family and Community Services being called on each occasion, police are limited in their ability to fine parents due to legal loopholes

Despite DOCs or the Department of Family and Community Services being called on each occasion, police are limited in their ability to fine parents due to legal loopholes.

'The parents and children are referred onto these agencies. It is up to them how far they go,' a further comment from officers stated.