Witnesses said that when they arrived home they found the entire area cordoned off while dozens of police officers rushed to the scene.

“There were police everywhere, we didn’t know what had happened, the whole lake was cordoned off,” said a nearby resident. “We knew it had something to do with the water, but we thought that with the number of police it was something dangerous.

“There were about a dozen police cars and what looked like armed police. The strange thing was the way they protected the scene, as if there might be something suspicious. They were making sure it wasn’t contaminated.

Another local resident said: “Detectives have been searching house to house asking if we saw or heard anything. Everyone hopes for the best, but it’s very strange. “There are houses overlooking the pond and the common, but the ground is thick and it would be difficult for a small child to get that far.”

Police said the girl lived on Forge Road, a few hundred meters from the pond, which is home to a mix of detached houses and semi-detached properties, as well as a pub and community centre.

“Officers are appealing for information following the death of a child who was found unconscious in Kingsley Pond,” a force spokesperson said.

“Police were called at 5.02pm on Sunday 10 September to a report of a two-year-old girl missing from her home in Forge Road, Kingsley, Bordon.

“She was found a short time later in Kingsley Pond.

“She was taken to hospital in serious condition but unfortunately she passed away this afternoon (Monday, September 11). “Her family has the support of the agents.”