Council warning after life buoys used as dog toys

Cllr Phillip Hackett said people's safety was more important than the financial cost of vandalism

Repeated vandalism of life-saving equipment is putting people in danger, councillors have warned.

Torridge District Council said there had been multiple occasions where equipment used to rescue people had been vandalised at leisure spots, including Kenwith Valley Reservoir, which is popular with dog walkers.

The council, which has more than 40 life-saving items across the district, said it had seen "lifebuoys used as dog toys, throw lines in trees and boxes thrown into water or gone missing".

Phillip Hackett, the council's safety lead, said: "Lives are priceless - you wouldn't tamper with a parachute, you wouldn't tamper with a safety belt in the car."

The council said the cost of replacing damaged items was adding up

The council said the cost of replacing damaged items was adding up, but its main concern was people's safety.

"The monetary side isn't the main driver here," Hackett said.

The council said adding padlocks to boxes which hold equipment could waste vital seconds in an emergency.

Chris Willson, a coastal engineer for Torridge District Council, said: "Unfortunately people seem to like to vandalise certain items.

"It is quite a concern, especially if someone were to be in danger."

The council said anyone who witnessed vandalism should report it to the police and damaged equipment should be reported to the council.