Lifeguard hut is burgled at beach

Lifeguard hut is burgled at beach

24 July 2013

LIFESAVING equipment has been stolen from the RNLI lifeguard hut on Murlough beach.

Burglars forced the door of the hut to steal two sets of binoculars and an airhorn after it was locked up last Sunday evening.

Niamh Stephenson from the RNLI said the theft was “disappointing”.

“The alarm was raised by a woman walking her dog early on Monday morning,” she said. “She noticed some damage to the door, alerted the Coastguard and they contacted the RNLI.

“The padlocks were broken and a bit of work still needs to be done on the door. The binoculars and airhorn have been replaced.

“We obviously have to look at how equipment is stored but incidents like this one are thankfully rare.”

Ms. Stephenson said the theft was “a little bit disappointing” but that the vast majority of people had great respect for the work of the RNLI.

“People just do not know when the RNLI might be needed,” she said. “It could be one day for whoever stole this equipment, or for someone they know.”

Police believe the burglary took place between 6.15pm on Sunday, July 14 and 10.10am the following morning.

“This is a particularly thoughtless crime and the burglars have obviously no concern for the potential consequences of their actions,” said Sergeant Michael Clarke.

“The items stolen are used by lifeguards to scan for swimmers in danger and to alert them to potential danger. They are left in the hut for the obvious reason that they will constantly be available at a moments notice to lifeguards responding to beach users in distress.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Newcastle on 0845 600 8000. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.