Life-saving throwline vandalised in 'reckless and mindless' attack in Sunderland

The throwline board at Pattinson South Pond, near Fatfield Bridge, has been smashed open and the life-saving equipment stolen by ‘senseless’ vandals.

It was one of two new throwlines to be installed earlier this year to add to the existing equipment opposite the Biddick Inn at Fatfield riverside, which was installed after the death of 22-year-old Ross Irwin in December 2016.

Teenagers Tonibeth Purvis and Chloe Fowler also tragically died after getting into difficulty swimming in the same stretch of the Wear in July 2013.

Unlike traditional life buoys, the throwlines are secured in a lockbox which can be opened with a code available by dialling 999 and speaking to the emergency services.

Now the lockbox has been smashed open and the throwline, which was installed by Sunderland City Council and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, has been stolen by ‘mindless’ vandals.

Chief fire officer Chris Lowther has hit out at the ‘reckless stupidity’ of the vandals on social media.

He wrote on Twitter: “[The lockbox] has been smashed open and the throw line has been stolen. What? I mean, howay! I’ve seen some mindless acts in my time, but this is just reckless stupidity.”

It is a criminal offence to tamper with rescue aids and the city council is now calling for anyone with information about the incident to contact Northumbria Police.

A city council spokesman said: “We have been made aware of the senseless vandalism of the emergency throw line at Pattinson South Pond.

"This piece of equipment was put in place in partnership with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to help if somebody gets into difficulties and save lives.

“It is a criminal offence to tamper with rescue aids.

"If anyone has any info please report it to Northumbria Police on 101.

“If you see equipment being tampered with please report it to northumbria police straight away or damaged equipment to us https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/12413/Report-damaged-or-missing-street-furniture. Don’t leave it to someone else.”

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