Anger at 'staggering' abuse of lifesaving equipment
Safety equipment being tampered with, vandalised – or, in some cases, even stolen – are putting lives at risk along the Wirral coastline.
In the latest incident at the weekend, a group of young people were reported to have removed a number of buoyancy rings - which are just one type of lifesaving equipment placed at strategic locations along Wirral’s waterfront to aid in an emergency – and set them on fire.
Responding to the reports on the evening of Sunday June 21st, one of the council’s Community Safety Officers found that in addition to the rings being tampered with, two rope ladders – which can be used to help someone in difficulty during high tides climb clear of the water – were also found to be missing.
It is staggering that there are those in our community who are willing to put other people’s lives directly at risk. I can’t think of a single excuse why anyone would want to damage or steal this equipment, which is there to protect the public and save lives.
Such actions could have deadly consequences – the equipment is there so that anyone can literally throw someone a lifeline should they get themselves into difficulty in the water. This immediate help can often be the difference between life and death whilst emergency services get to the scene.
Life rings, ropes, ladders and other safety equipment are placed in various locations around the Wirral coastline, but particularly along the eastern/Mersey side of the borough.
The Mersey Estuary is notoriously hazardous, featuring the third-fastest tidal run in Europe with speeds reaching up to 10 knots. The estuary’s narrow mouth causes a severe ‘bottleneck’ effect, meaning the incoming tide can rise drastically in under three hours and create trouble for even the most prepared coastal walkers or experienced swimmers, let alone just someone using the beach for leisure.
I am extremely disappointed to see continued incidents of vandalism involving life rings along our coastline, this type of behaviour is reckless.
Life rings are not decorative items, they are essential lifesaving pieces of equipment that are placed at key locations to be used in an emergency. When a life ring is damaged, removed or tampered with, it may not be there for someone who genuinely needs it, and that could have devastating consequences.
In a coastal emergency, there is often no time to find an alternative. Immediate access to a life ring can make a critical difference in keeping someone afloat until help arrives. Vandalising this equipment is not a harmless act, it puts lives at risk, including members of the public and those of emergency responders who may be required to enter the water unnecessarily.
The latest incident comes shortly after similar criminal damage was reported by the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team on their Facebook page in May. On that occasion they showed a photograph of two life rings left on the beach having been set on fire rendering them unusable.
They thanked Wirral Council’s Community Safety team for attending and replacing the damaged equipment quickly and also for carrying out regular checks of the lifesaving equipment to ensure it is present and available ready to use when needed.
This is a further factor that people need to remember. This equipment has to be accessible, easily identifiable and able to be used quickly – we just can’t lock it away. Every time an item is damaged or removed, it has to be replaced at the taxpayer’s expense. It is therefore everybody’s duty to look after this kit and if they see it being misused or interfered with, report it to the police straight away.
If you see anyone in difficulty at the coast, the first thing to do is call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
