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Bereaved dad condemns throwline vandalism

Evie LakeNorth East and Cumbria
TWFRS A large red and green board on the side of a body of water. At the top is reads 'Emergency throwline' in white lettering in a red box. The rest of the board is on a green background and explains how to use the throwline. In white letters on the left it reads: 'Havannah Three Hills Nature Reserve. To access throwline in an emergency dial 999. Ask for Fire Service, quote location code U8. In the middle of the board is a red box which is where the box should have been. There are four screw holes visible in each corner. On the right of the sign are six picture boxes with 'Instructions for use' written above. The diagrams then show step-by-step how to use the equipment. There is a large bush behind the sign.TWFRS
The throwline box was completely removed at Havannah Three Hills Nature Reserve

A dad whose son drowned has slammed "mindless vandalism" after three throwline boards were damaged.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) said over the past nine months boards at three Newcastle parks have been targeted, including one just recently at Jesmond Vale.

Nick Pope, from Ponteland, in Northumberland, has been campaigning for more safety measures to be installed around the region since his son, Charlie, 19, drowned in Manchester's Rochdale Canal during a night out in 2018.

"There's been fantastic work done to get them there in the first place, it's proven they've saved lives and to vandalise something like that just beggars belief really," Pope said.

TWFRS said the boards at Hodgkin Park and Havannah Three Hills Nature Reserve were also damaged, but the box containing the throw bag - which includes a line of rope - was completely ripped from the nature reserve board sometime before 17 August.

It will cost hundreds of pounds to replace.

TWFRS Tommy Richardson on the left looking into the camera with a straight face. He is wearing a navy blue fire service uniform and has his hands behind his back. He has brown, short hair and is balding in the middle. Nick Pope has short, grey hair which is swept back and a grey, short beard. He is wearing a dark jacket with a light shirt underneath and blue jeans. He is holding a bright orange bag. The Tyne Bridge and red Swing Bridge are behind them slightly out of focus. The River Tyne is on the right and on a black railing above it, part of an Emergency Throwline board can be seen which is blue red and yellow.TWFRS
Tommy Richardson (left) and Nick Pope have previously campaigned for more throwlines together

Water safety lead at TWFRS, Tommy Richardson, said the throwlines replaced life rings by bodies of water, partly to try and avoid vandalism.

Small and lightweight, they can be thrown to a person, who can then be pulled to safety, or held until fire crews arrive.

The equipment features a locked box in the centre of the board which can only be opened after ringing 999 and being given a code.

"These things are there, they're designed to save somebody should they find themselves in difficulty in the water," Richardson said.

"It could be that person, it could be a family member, friend or loved one that may need that piece of equipment someday.

"The box, the line, it has no other use than to save people that find themselves in the water."

Handout Charlie Pope looking into the camera which is below him with a slight smile. He has brown curly hair which is long on the top and short on the sides. He is wearing a maroon jacket with buttons on the collar and a red white and black checked shirt is peeking out underneath it. He is also wearing a white t-shirt underneath the shirt. He is standing in a room and the wall to the right is covered in cream wallpaper with red roses on it. The wall behind him is plain cream.Handout
Charlie Pope drowned in a Manchester canal when he was 19

Pope previously said similar equipment might have helped save his son Charlie.

"It's just beyond frustrating really," he said.

"The most frustrating thing is that it's proven that it's saved lives and why would anybody risk that?"

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