Vandals target life saving belts

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Barry Davies from Gwynedd Council's maritime unit says the vandalism is putting lives at risk

Lives are potentially being put at risk as life saving equipment is damaged and thrown into the sea in Porthmadog.

Gwynedd council said the vandalism was a daily occurrence on a footpath and cycle-track along the Cob next to the A487.

People who see acts of vandalism are being asked to report them.

The Cob was built in 1811 after William Alexander Madocks ordered the construction of a great embankment to reclaim land from the sea.

Maritime and parks officer, Barry Davies, said: "We've strategically placed a number of life saving equipment along the footpath/cycleroute which leads along the Cob.

"But these are being damaged, with life rings thrown into the sea, and ropes being cut, which is a great concern to us."

I'd ask those responsible to leave this life saving equipment where it it as it may be them, or a friend or their family, who may need it one day Barry Davies, Gwynedd council maritime and parks officer

Mr Davies said it was happening on a daily basis, which meant his officers were having to check equipment every day.

The situation was potentially putting lives at risk, he added.

"The area is used extensively by fishermen and people who enjoy nature watching and anybody who should get into difficulties might find that the life saving equipment is unavailable," he added.

Mr Davies said he had no idea who was responsible for the damage but urged anyone who saw anything to contact the council.

"I'd ask those responsible to leave this life saving equipment where it it as it may be them, or a friend or their family, who may need it one day," he added.

Martin Kerr, who lives nearby at Minffordd, said he walked along the Cob daily to keep fit, and often saw life belts in the water.

"It seems to happen more often in the summer when people have been walking along the Cob in the evenings," he said.