Thieves targeting Northumberland coastline rescue equipment

Jul 15 2010 By Dave Black

THIEVES are being accused of putting lives at risk by targeting vital rescue equipment along the region’s coastline.

A warning was issued yesterday after ropes attached to lifebelts and lifebuoys in Northumberland were taken in a spate of thefts.

The rescue aids are located at coastal spots where people could slip or fall into the sea.

Now, worried council safety officials say lifebelts are rendered useless in an emergency if their ropes have been removed.

They are stationed at about 30 different locations in the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Cambois and Blyth area, and the blue nylon ropes are being taken at a rate of five or six a week.

The council is now making replacement ropes which are coloured red and yellow and are more distinctive in a bid to make them easier to trace if stolen.

It is also asking for help in locating the equipment stolen recently.

Town hall bosses have branded the thieves “irresponsible” and are baffled why the ropes are being taken.

Coun Ian Lindley, executive member for neighbourhood services, said: “The people damaging this equipment are obviously giving little thought to those whose lives they might be putting at risk.”

Thieves are being warned they face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to £5,000 if they are convicted of stealing the ropes.

Yesterday, a council spokeswoman said thefts of lifebelts and ropes was a perennial problem in Northumberland, but it appeared to have got worse recently.

“Every week ropes are being stolen from five or six, or sometimes more, locations. They are taking the ropes and we don’t know why, although blue nylon rope has a variety of uses.

“If the ropes are taken, the lifebelts are made virtually useless if they are needed in a genuine emergency, when people need to be pulled out of the water.”

Anyone with information about the recent spate of thefts is asked to contact the council on 0845 600 6400, or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511

Two years ago a similar problem was highlighted when the emergency services said vandals attacking equipment were risking lives.

In the spring and summer of 2008, ropes and lifebelts were stolen or destroyed at Embleton, Amble and Boulmer.

The former Alnwick District Council had to replace nine ropes, three lifebelts and a lifebelt board.

At the time, Northumbria Police deployed officers on horseback to patrol county beaches over the summer.