‘MINDLESS vandals’ caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to a lifeguard hut.

The RNLI has criticised those who caused the damage, which left lifeguards on duty having to stand outside the hut on one of the warmest days of the year to ensure beachgoers were safe.

It is thought a stone or rock was hurled at the window of the hut in West Bay, smashing it, and leaving those on the inside unable to see out.

As lifeguards need to be able to see the beach to assess any potential emergency situations, they had to stand outside the hut on Saturday.

The incident happened late on Friday or early on Saturday morning and has been reported to police, who are investigating the incident.

The hut has been temporarily fixed and is now in a workable condition, and will be permanently mended within two weeks.

The repairs are expected to cost around £900.
Kester Sheppard, RNLI lifeguard manager said: “Although the lifeguard service was not compromised, this mindless act of vandalism caused inconvenience to our lifeguards as they were unable to operate from the lifeguard hut whilst the damage was being assessed. 

“However our lifeguards are used to dealing with challenges and dealt with the situation professionally maintaining their usual standards of service. 

“The RNLI is a charity funded by donations, and it’s such a shame that people would damage property that our supporters have so generously donated towards.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the incident happened between 6pm on Friday and 9.30am on Saturday.

The spokesman said: “We were called to reports of criminal damage and the incident was reported to us at 12.24pm on Saturday.

“Damage was caused to a front window of an RNLI trailer in West Bay harbour. Entry was not gained to the trailer and nothing was stolen. No arrests have been made.”

The incident comes just days after two lifesaving devices were vandalised on Weymouth beach.
Police are investigating criminal damage to two ‘throwline’ cabinets along the promenade towards Overcombe Corner.