A total of 130 people were safely reunited with their families and groups on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole beaches this summer thanks to the LV= KidZone beach safety scheme.
The project ran from 1 July to 1 September and saw around 36,000 wristbands given out to children and vulnerable visitors. Each band carried a parent or guardian’s contact number, helping staff and lifeguards to quickly return anyone who became separated from their group.
Those who went missing were reunited within an average of seven minutes.
Councillor Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, said the scheme “plays an essential part in keeping our beaches safe and providing peace of mind to our community and visitors.”
Samantha Preece from LV= said the partnership with BCP Council and RNLI lifeguards “ensures we can support our local community to have positive and lasting impact.”
Ed Stevens, RNLI regional lifeguard lead, added that the wristbands were “a huge support in helping us reunite people with their loved ones quickly and safely.”
Although the scheme has ended for the season, RNLI lifeguards remain on duty at Sandbanks, Bournemouth West, Bournemouth East and Boscombe East beaches until 28 September between 10am and 6pm.
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