#GetWaterWise: Community lifesaving equipment "vital" to saving lives

There are concerns people vandalising emergency lifesaving equipment next to rivers, lakes and reservoirs is putting lives at risk.

Emergency throwlines are found along waterways in every corner of the country and are "essential" to saving people who get into trouble in the water.

They can often be the lifeline for passers-by to use whilst emergency services arrive at the scene and have detailed instructions on the board on how to use them.

Earlier this week a throwline went missing from along the River Severn in Worcester near to Sabrina Bridge.

It's prompted calls from the Royal Life Saving Society, who's headquarters are in Worcester, asking people to leave the equipment alone unless they need to use it for an emergency.

West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion, has since announced he will provide funding for a replacement.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at the Royal Life Saving Society, said: "To have rescue equipment damaged or stolen when it's there to save lives is something which is hard to take.

"Especially as the people who are potentially involved in removing or damaging it, they need to realise that it's there to potentially save their life one day as well.

"Just because they don't need it that day, if they were to get into trouble in the water and the rescue equipment wasn't there it would be interesting to see how they would feek about that situation."

#GetWaterWise this summer

Water safety campaigners are warning this summer could be one of the worst ever for accidental drownings in our waterways and coasts.

A combination of people staying in the UK, warmer weather, and young people missing out on swimming education are all factors that threaten to send numbers soaring this year.

There have been 36 drownings in England since the middle of July alone due to a spike in hot weather across England.

WATCH: Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle looks at the recent spike in drownings and the demand for better education in schools

Know the facts on accidental drowning

Unfortunately, people of all ages can die in drowning accidents:

• On average 402 people across the UK and Ireland die in our waterways each year

• July and August are the months in which most fatalities occur

• 82% of deaths are male

• 47% of those who die have no intention of entering the water

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