Anger has been expressed by local community leaders after four pieces of water safety equipment were vandalised in Strabane at the weekend.
The potentially life-saving equipment was damaged at the canal in the Co Tyrone town, with the Chair of Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) saying he was 'shocked and dismayed' by the incident.
"I am shocked and dismayed that important life-saving equipment has been vandalised over the weekend," PCSP Chairperson, Alderman Maurice Devenney said.
"The water safety equipment located along the Strabane Canal is there for the safety of all users and this senseless destruction defies all comprehension.
"The PCSP has worked with a number of groups over the past years to enhance the safety of all our waterways and I cannot understand the point of tampering and vandalising this equipment.
"We will be working with our partners to ensure that the equipment is replaced or repaired as soon as possible, and I would encourage anyone with any information on those responsible for this mindless destruction to inform the police as soon as possible."
District Commander of the Community Rescue Service, Ivan Barr, said the vandals were playing 'Russian roulette' with other people's lives.
"Despite the best efforts of PCSP, CRS and the community as a whole to ensure the health and well-being of those utilising our waterways, there are still some people who think it is ok to play Russian Roulette with the lives of others through the vandalism of this vital life-saving equipment," he said.
"This foolhardiness is going to cost someone their life. We are constantly appealing to those responsible to wise up. It will be too late when they ruin their own life by causing the death of another by their unwelcome and irresponsible actions."
Sinn Fein MLA for West Tyrone, Maolíosa McHugh , added that the actions were 'absolutely senseless'.
"You really do have to be a particular type of idiot when you vandalise 4 water safety devices that some day that you, your family or your friends may need," he said.
"These devices are vital life saving equipment and are maintained by voluntary members of the community for the benefit of our community."
