Thieves take RNLI beach equipment

The RNLI said temporary radios were being used on Gwithian beach

Thieves have broken into a lifeguard unit on a beach in Cornwall and stolen £1,500 worth of communications equipment, the RNLI says.

The thieves used bolt cutters to slice through padlocks and smashed window locks at the unit on Gwithian beach.

They took five VHF handheld radios, two chargers and two pairs of binoculars.

The charity said the theft, which was discovered on Monday, was "very disappointing and costly" for an organisation which relies on donations.

'Major blow'

Penwith Area Lifeguard Manager Phil Drew said it was a "major blow and massive inconvenience for the lifeguard team at Gwithian".

He said: "The VHF radios are essential pieces of kit on the beach.

"They are used by the lifeguards to communicate between themselves, the unit and the emergency services and they would be unable to do their job effectively without them."

Mr Drew said other temporary radios were being used, so operational duties to the public had not been affected.

He added: "We are all shocked that people would steal from the charity, which relies on public donations. It appears that the thieves knew what they were looking for.

"We are currently making provisions to make the building secure and minimise the risk of this happening again."

The charity said the radios were a distinctive yellow colour and that anyone who knew about the break-in should contact police.