Lives are being put at risk by vandals who are destroying lifesaving equipment on river banks, say council chiefs. A spate of lifebuoys have been stolen or vandalised from the banks of the Thames, in Windsor, Berkshire.
In one morning all four lifebuoys in Sutherland Grange were stolen. Council officials replaced them but all four replacements had vanished by lunchtime.
Windsor and Maidenhead council said the situation is so bad it cannot guarantee to have enough lifebuoys on the banks.
John Stewart, from the council, said: "We are very concerned that this thoughtless behaviour could put people's lives at risk.
"Staff carry out regular checks but, given the current spate of thefts, we can't guarantee the life-saving equipment will be there if it is needed."