Gang of Youths Attack Morecambe’s RNLI Lifeboat Station
At approximately 9pm on Sunday 25th September 2016, Morecambe’s RNLI lifeboat station came under attack by a gang of about 30 stone throwing youths who proceeded to smash a large observation window; causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.
Volunteer members of the crew were in the building at the time; having just hosted a visit by a group of young people from Lancaster. The volunteers gave chase to the vandals, who dispersed as they ran away, catching up with some of them near Poulton Park. When challenged, the teenagers (male and female) subjected the crew to verbal abuse and threats of violence until the police arrived on the scene. The crew members then returned to the lifeboat station to assess the damage and make it secure.
Volunteer Deputy Launching Authority Colin Midwinter said ‘It is sad to reflect that on a weekend when my granddaughter joined hundreds of other young people on the Scouts’ district camp and many others in the area were similarly engaged in positive activities; a small minority have nothing better to do than engage in mindless vandalism on a building funded by public donation for the purpose of saving lives. Fortunately, on this occasion, the damage was confined to a window. The vital communications equipment located behind it survived unscathed and so our operational capability has not been affected.’
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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