Canal vandalism 'putting lives at risk', police warn

Vandals who remove or damage life-saving water safety equipment in County Tyrone have been warned they are putting lives at risk.

The warning has been issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Community Rescue Service and Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

They say any damage to equipment – including life buoys and throw lines – that are placed along the canal in Strabane – could have potentially tragic consequences.

"This equipment has a very clear purpose, and that's to help save lives," PSNI Sgt Johnston said.

"A throw line could be the difference between life and death for someone, who may be in difficulty in the water," the senior officer said.

Sgt Johnston said should a person fall into the water and not have access to life saving equipment "does not bear thinking about".

Ivan Barr from Strabane Community Rescue Service said the theft or vandalism of the strategically-placed equipment along the town's canal is "completely unacceptable".

He said such incidents are "direct attacks on the safety and wellbeing of our entire community".

"One day, someone in genuine need may be denied the chance of survival because the equipment they depend on has been stolen or destroyed," Barr said.

Chair of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership Darren Guy said anyone who thinks the vandalism of life saving equipment is a "victimless crime" should think again.

"It puts real people at real risk, and it comes at a cost to replace which could be better spent elsewhere in our community," he said.

Anyone who witnesses damage to the equipment, he added, should report it to police.