A beach safety scheme run by BCP Council has been hailed a success after reuniting 118 lost children and vulnerable adults over the summer.
LV= KidZone operated for 63 days from the beginning of July to the end of August.
Around 37,000 wristbands with a parent or guardian’s details and their location on the beach were distributed and helped to find anyone missing in an average of just eight minutes.
During Bournemouth Air Festival, alone, which attracted nearly half a million visitors, LV= KidZone helped locate 33 people.
The scheme is sponsored by UK life and pensions mutual insurer LV=.
Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations said: “Our wonderful seafront attracts a huge number of visitors and residents over the summer season, and we know that on a busy day children and vulnerable people can disappear from sight very quickly.
“Losing someone can be a frightening experience for everyone involved and the KidZone initiative plays an important role in improving the safety of everyone who visits our beaches.
“It has proved to be a huge success once again this year and we are grateful to LV=, with whom we have a long-standing and successful relationship, for their support again this summer.
“I would also like to thank the BCP Council seafront staff and RNLI lifeguards who have worked tirelessly to help run this initiative on the ground again this year.”
Samantha Preece, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at LV=, said: “We’re proud to support such a fantastic initiative which has proved incredibly successful in helping reunite someone who was lost with their loved ones.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the LV= KidZone representatives, RNLI lifeguards and the BCP Seafront team for supporting this summer initiative and keeping beach visitors safe.
“This scheme is a shining example of partnership working and the positive impact it can have on supporting families in our local community.”
The scheme’s end was timed with the conclusion of the school summer holidays.