Police and fire chiefs have blasted those behind the repeated vandalism of lifesaving equipment at bridges across the River Leven.
Thieves stole lifebuoys from the Stuckie Bridge for the third time last month – with rings also nicked from Bonhill and Dumbarton bridges and ditched in the water in December.
It came just weeks after new lifebelts were installed to improve water safety at eight bridges which cross the River Leven, with two lifebelts per bridge – a total of 16 new devices.
A partnership of agencies, which are behind the installation of the new water safety measures, have hit out at the perpetrators, warning that removing and damaging the equipment can have fatal consequences.
Police Scotland Chief Inspector Coleen Wylie, Local Area Commander, said: “These devices save lives and stealing or vandalising them could cost lives.
“Removing and damaging lifesaving equipment can have fatal consequences.
“If the equipment is not there when it is really needed the outcome can be very tragic.
“If you are involved in this behaviour, you will be prosecuted.
“We will continue to work with our partners towards enhancing water safety in our local area and we ask the public to report any vandalisms or misuse of this equipment to us.”
The Lennox Herald reported in December how Jamie Gillies, the aunt of 12-year-old Ava Gray who drowned in the River Leven said she was “disheartened” by the incidents.
She had been tirelessly campaigning for more buoyancy aids and safety measures.
The partnership behind the new equipment includes the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, West Dunbartonshire Council, national park rangers and Open Water Rescue.
Local community group Open Water Rescue purchased the lifebelts with money donated from SFRS, with the council going on to install them.
Antony Coia, secretary of the group, told how volunteers had tirelessly worked across the area to recover the vandalised equpment.
He said: “Open Water Rescue volunteers have worked tirelessly with the West Dunbartonshire Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) group to ensure that water safety around the River Leven has been increased for its communities.
“Unfortunately, due to spates of ongoing vandalism, our volunteers have had to divert their time to recover the public rescue equipment.
“Hopefully the community can work together and help prevent this from happening again in the future.”
Assistance in the area is also provided by local community groups who report missing items direct to the local authority.
It also forms part of a wider multi-agency partnership which is working collaboratively on all issues regarding water safety, also bringing together agencies including the Scottish Ambulance Service, RNLI, Coastguard, Scottish Water, Loch Lomond Rescue Boat and Scottish Canals.
Area Commander Joe Mckay, SFRS local senior officer for Argyll and Bute and East and West Dunbartonshire, said he was disappointed by the incidents following the work which has gone into the project.
He said: “Safety is a priority and we are committed to working with our partners to effect any measures to help keep people safe.
“We assisted Open Water Rescue by donating funding to secure these new lifebelts and it is extremely disappointing to see all of this hard work being treated in this manner.
“These lifebelts are there to help keep members of the public safe and they are a vital resource for an area which has sadly witnessed fatalities.
“It is also extremely important that we keep reminding the public about the dangers of water and how to stay safe near water, and we will continue work closely with our partners.”
West Dunbartonshire Council leader Jonathan McColl, said: “We are shocked and disappointed that this vital lifesaving equipment continues to be targeted by mindless thieves.
“These life buoys are in place to help save lives in an emergency and if unavailable, there could be devastating consequences for anyone who gets into difficulty in the water.
“Removing this equipment is not only very dangerous, but also uses up significant resource as partners address damage and pay to reinstall.
“I want to again stress the importance of protecting this equipment for our communities, and urge anyone who has any information to contact Police Scotland immediately.”
