Eleven life-saving rings have been swiped from the banks of the River Forth in the last week.
Since last Friday, the life-saving devices were stolen from a section of the river close to Craigforth.
Now, Stirling Council has issued a reminder to people of the potentially fatal consequences of misusing the rings.
The thefts have meant that its fisheries team has had to replace the devices – amounting to more than a quarter of the total of the life rings deployed across the parts of the Forth and Teith where the council has management responsibility and fishing rights.
It came on the same weekend that saw tragedy strike on Scotland’s waterways, including a number of fatalities at Loch Lomond and Loch Lubnaig.
Convener of Stirling Council’s Environment and Housing Committee, Councillor Jim Thomson said: “At a time when we are hearing tragic stories 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.
“To those involved, is that really something you want have that on your conscience?”
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During the summer months, the banks of the Forth and Teith are used for fishing as well as walkers, cyclists and tourists. The recent hot weather has seen more people using the rivers for sunbathing and swimming.
The thefts are the most recent in a string of incidents involving the removal of the rings.
Vice convener of the committee, Councillor Danny Gibson said: “This is an extremely serious matter and it’s disturbing that the removal of this vital rescue equipment on our rivers is continuing to happen. I would urge anyone who spots this to report it to the authorities.”
Anyone who spots life rings being tampered with or removed should contact Police on 101.
