Renfrewshire residents have been urged to not jeopardise the security of others by tampering with life-saving tools close to water.
Councillor Marie McGurk despatched an emphatic message forward of the forthcoming Drowning Prevention Week after police revealed that tools situated at waterways, together with life rings at Renfrew’s Bascule Bridge had been focused.
It comes after Sharron Drennan - the mom of 13-year-old William McNally, who handed away after being pulled from the River Gryffe final June - issued a plea earlier this month for kids to look out for one another round waterways.
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The 50-year-old mentioned: “I need to make a plea to all younger individuals - please ensure that your mum doesn’t should undergo what I've.
“Please look out for one another and ensure your folks get dwelling safely.”
She informed how a lot her son was nonetheless missed, including: “William was, and nonetheless is, very a lot beloved and adored. He's missed by everybody, which was made abundantly clear final 12 months when Linwood got here to standstill for his funeral.”
William’s aunts, Jayne and Claire Drennan additionally appeared in a security video to mark the primary anniversary of his demise.
He handed away in hospital on June 5, 2021, after stepping into hassle at a stretch of the river close to Houston.
Renfrewshire Council just lately stepped up efforts to enhance water security throughout the realm, by putting in lifebelts armed with GPS trackers at doubtlessly harmful factors, which could be traced by Fireplace and Rescue providers.
A ‘no swimming’ warning has additionally been positioned by the location the place William obtained into difficulties.
However the measures have been carried out in useless after vandals struck, eradicating life belts from Renfrew’s Bascule Bridge.
Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities and Housing Coverage Board, spoke out, saying: “It's extremely vital that the life-saving tools positioned round our waterways isn’t broken and is just eliminated in case of an emergency.
“Individuals might discover ten seconds of enjoyable in throwing one thing into the water, however not having that tools there when it's wanted could possibly be the distinction in saving somebody’s life.”
She added: “By means of our Water Security Working Group, we’re placing measures in place to cut back the dangers round our waterways, resembling life-saving tools, GPS signage and faculty visits, and senseless vandalism like this undermines this vital work.
“Please respect the life-saving tools for what it's and go away it in place.”
Police have appealed for the assistance of the general public over the removing of life belts.
Officers say that Public Rescue Tools has turn out to be a goal for vandals.
We informed final week how important tools resembling life rings had been eliminated “on quite a few events” and “moved to areas that aren't instantly accessible throughout an emergency” say Police Scotland.
With Drowning Prevention Week - which runs from June 18 to 25 - looming, Police are urging residents to “act responsibly” and take into account the results of their actions.
A police spokesman mentioned: “Please go away this tools in place as each second counts in an emergency.
“This tools may save your life, the lifetime of a good friend or beloved one.”
Drowning Prevention Week, run by the Royal Lifesaving Society UK, goals to show younger individuals tips on how to be secure close to and within the water and forestall a rise in unintentional drownings.
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