Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Police Division
Theft of life saving equipment – Appeal for information
In early 2021 a Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) group was formed in West Dunbartonshire, including Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Police Division, Scottish Ambulance Service, West Dunbartonshire Council,Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Water Safety Scotland, RNLI, Maritime and Coastguard Agency & Loch Lomond Rescue Boat to name but a few.
The PAWS group identified locations requiring new life saving equipment & improved signage to make it more easily understood.
Funding was received to replace older life-saving equipment & to install new equipment around West Dunbartonshire including life rings.
As part of this work, 4 life rings were replaced on Dumbarton Bridge. However, it has been reported to Police Scotland these 4 Life Rings have since been stolen at some point between 13th-19th December 2021.
It has now been reported that between 24th-26th December, 2 life rings have been stolen from Bonhill Bridge, Dumbarton.
Sgt Brian Simpson, member of the PAWS group said, “Life rings are potentially life-saving equipment & it’s vital they are available if someone’s life is in danger”.
“Anyone stealing life rings would be placing people’s lives in danger & 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”.
If you have information on the theft of the life rings from Dumbarton Bridge or Bonhill Bridge please contact Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting LA03661221.
If you see anyone tampering with life-saving equipment or involved in the theft of, please contact Police Scotland on 999 if this is ongoing or 101 if not.
The LLAIA Water Bailiff Team have already recovered and replaced several life rings from the river and re-instated these but we would ask all anglers and members to be vigilant and report any further incidents immediately using the contact information above?
