Don’t Put Lives At Risk By Damaging Life Lines

People’s lives are being put at risk by senseless acts of vandalism to life lines and life buoys placed at ponds and waterways around the county. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

With schools breaking up for summer and warmer weather, people are enjoying spending time near ponds, lakes and rivers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council’s grounds maintenance team are concerned about lifesaving equipment being damaged – or removed completely. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Staff carry out regular patrols, particularly at hotspot areas, but members of the public are being asked to report any incidents of vandalism as soon as possible. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Incidents have occurred where life lines have been damaged, removed from their holders and thrown in to the water where they are out of reach, or missing altogether. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “Lifesaving equipment at ponds and lakes save lives, so please don’t remove them unless it’s an emergency. I dread to think what would happen if someone was in trouble and the life line was missing. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We appeal to everyone playing near water this summer to stay safe. Please don’t tamper with life lines, and report any missing.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Have you seen someone tampering with life-saving equipment, or have you noticed one has been damaged or is missing? Please let us know – email direct@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​