The aunt of a schoolgirl who tragically drowned in the River Leven says she is “disheartened” after sick thieves stole lifebelts from bridges in Dumbarton and Bonhill.
Six lifesaving rings have been nicked from Dumbarton Bridge and Bonhill Bridge – four of which were installed just weeks earlier as part of efforts to step up local water safety measures.
Jamie Gillies, of Bonhill, has been tirelessly campaigning for more buoyancy aids and safety measures after her 12-year-old niece Ava Gray drowned in the River Leven in August 2020.
She hit out at the callous thieves, commenting: “I’m just really disheartened and disappointed that this has happened.
“There is a small section of our community who seem determined to destroy everything good in the place.
“It makes you wonder ‘what is the point’? “
She questioned if the perpetrators would ever be found or punished, adding: “I give up now”.
Cops say the actions of those responsible could have fatal consequences, with Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie also hitting out at the “appalling” vandalism.
Four of the vital lifebelts were stolen from Dumbarton Bridge between December 13 and 19 – weeks after they were installed after being replaced at the start of the month. Two more belts were reported stolen from Bonhill Bridge between December 24 and 26.
The four new Dumbarton Bridge lifebelts were installed by a ‘Partnership Approach to Water Safety’ group – PAWS – set up last year to boost water safety around West Dunbartonshire.
It includes numerous partners including Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, West Dunbartonshire Council, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Water Safety Scotland, RNLI, Coastguard, and Loch Lomond Rescue Boat.
Throughout 2021, the PAWS group received funding to replace old equipment, while installing life rings in new locations and improving signage.
Last year we told how 21 locations in Balloch were to be installed with lifesaving equipment and signage, which came after teenager Connor Markward’s body was pulled from Loch Lomond in July before a mum, son and family friend all drowned in the loch at Pulpit Rock less than a day later.
Sergeant Brian Simpson, who sits on the group, said: “Life rings are potentially life-saving equipment and it is vital they are available if someone’s life is in danger.
“Anyone stealing life rings would be placing people’s lives in danger and would be at risk of prosecution.
“The work by the PAWS group has taken place at a time when we are hearing tragedies of people drowning in open water across Scotland, the theft of this life-saving equipment could have fatal consequences and cause heartache for families and friends.”
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie urged anyone with information to contact police.
She said: “Given the tragedies that have occurred in the River Leven and Loch Lomond, removing the lifebelts is an
act of the most appalling vandalism that could have the most serious of consequences.
“This could be a family member or a friend that may get into trouble in the water and have need of one of the lifebelts.
“This completely irresponsible action could cost lives and I would encourage anyone with information to contact the police.”
Anyone with any information on the thefts should contact police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police officers have also urged members of the public to get in touch if they witness anyone trying to steal or tampering with lifesaving equipment.
