Life-Saving Equipment Targeted

Flintshire County Council’s Countryside Service are concerned about ongoing vandalism to life- ring stations next to Condies Pond at Bettisfield, a site it manages in Bagillt, and at Greenfield Dock ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

At Bettisfield a life-ring has been vandalised 7 times since May and on one occasion a life-ring and throw line were stolen. The life-ring station has also been damaged twice and has had to undergo repairs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

At Greenfield the whole life ring station has been ripped out. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Bernie Attridge, Cabinet Member for Environment said; ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This vital piece of life-saving equipment has been replaced quickly but there are periods of time where it has not been accessible due the thoughtless and selfish actions of others. There is a cost to be met to repair and replace the damaged equipment and added demands on our Countryside Service Rangers who need to respond to these incidents as a priority.’ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This equipment is in place for good reason and it is a concern that if this anti-social behaviour continues the life-saving equipment may not be available when it is needed. These incidents have been reported to North Wales Police and I would encourage members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour around the site to the Police or notify our Countryside Service on 01352 703900.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​