Ramsgate beach RNLI lifeguard unit broken into
Last night, in the third break-in of the season, the garage of the RNLI beach lifeguard unit was broken into with a crowbar; a helmet was stolen in the event.
The situation was reported by a local concessionaire, who noticed that the shutter doors were left open exposing the garage contents. Some garage padlocks were broken in the attempt, leaving the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) vulnerable.
Lucy-Jane Macgowan, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for the Kent beaches, said: ‘Our purpose is to save lives at sea and ensure that the public can enjoy the beach in this good weather.
With our lifeguards going on full-time duty on 6th July in preparation for the summer holidays, it is imperative that we have all of our equipment available and functional in order to be able to act swiftly. The ATV allows us to get to incidents with speed. Had something happened to it, it is likely that we would have had to close down the beach. With a hot, sunny weekend forecast, we cannot afford for our equipment to be missing or out of action. If you know who’s responsible or saw anything, please call Kent Police on 101 and let them know.’
Media contacts
For more information, or for interview requests, contact Julie Rainey, Regional Media Manager for London and the south east, on 07827 358 256 / [email protected] , Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785 296 252 or [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 / [email protected]
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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