VANDALS PUT LIVES AT RISK BY DAMAGING LIFE LINES

Vandals are putting people’s lives at risk by damaging life lines and buoys placed at ponds and waterways across the county.
The council is continually having reports of lifesaving equipment being damaged or removed completely.
The grounds maintenance team has had to replace a total of 155 lifelines and one lifebuoy housing to date this financial year at county ponds and are now working with the police to target hotspot areas by increasing patrols.
Lifesaving equipment along the county’s coastline is also checked weekly by the rangers, and although there have been no recent reports, they do suffer from vandalism, especially during the summer months.
In total, the council has spent more than £10,000 on lifesaving equipment – and the majority of that is due to vandalism.
Members of the public are now being asked to report any incidents of vandalism they witness so that the culprits can be caught.
Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “These are vital pieces of lifesaving equipment and we would urge people to please think twice before tampering with them. I dread to think what would happen if someone was in trouble and the life line is missing.
“We are also appealing to members of the public to be vigilant and report any damaged or missing equipment alongside any body of water.”
If you see someone tampering with lifesaving equipment, or have noticed one has been damaged or gone missing please let us know, email direct@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.