Latest news with #PhillipHackett
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Council warning after life buoys used as dog toys
Repeated vandalism of life-saving equipment is putting people in danger, councillors have warned. Torridge District Council said there had been multiple occasions where equipment used to rescue people had been vandalised at leisure spots, including Kenwith Valley Reservoir, which is popular with dog walkers. The council, which has more than 40 life-saving items across the district, said it had seen "lifebuoys used as dog toys, throw lines in trees and boxes thrown into water or gone missing". Phillip Hackett, the council's safety lead, said: "Lives are priceless - you wouldn't tamper with a parachute, you wouldn't tamper with a safety belt in the car." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon The council said the cost of replacing damaged items was adding up, but its main concern was people's safety. "The monetary side isn't the main driver here," Hackett said. The council said adding padlocks to boxes which hold equipment could waste vital seconds in an emergency. Chris Willson, a coastal engineer for Torridge District Council, said: "Unfortunately people seem to like to vandalise certain items. "It is quite a concern, especially if someone were to be in danger." The council said anyone who witnessed vandalism should report it to the police and damaged equipment should be reported to the council. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ CCTV upgrade after play park paint attack Plumber fixes vandalised toilet as Christmas gift Play park vandalised for second time this year Torridge District Council
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Devon council warning after life buoys used as dog toys
Repeated vandalism of life-saving equipment is putting people in danger, councillors have District Council said there had been multiple occasions where equipment used to rescue people had been vandalised at leisure spots, including Kenwith Valley Reservoir, which is popular with dog council, which has more than 40 life-saving items across the district, said it had seen "lifebuoys used as dog toys, throw lines in trees and boxes thrown into water or gone missing".Phillip Hackett, the council's safety lead, said: "Lives are priceless - you wouldn't tamper with a parachute, you wouldn't tamper with a safety belt in the car." The council said the cost of replacing damaged items was adding up, but its main concern was people's safety."The monetary side isn't the main driver here," Hackett council said adding padlocks to boxes which hold equipment could waste vital seconds in an Willson, a coastal engineer for Torridge District Council, said: "Unfortunately people seem to like to vandalise certain items."It is quite a concern, especially if someone were to be in danger."The council said anyone who witnessed vandalism should report it to the police and damaged equipment should be reported to the council.
