A beach safety scheme aimed at reuniting lost children and vulnerable adults with their families is returning to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole this summer.
BCP Council has confirmed it is again working with insurance firm LV= to run the LV= KidZone initiative, which has helped beachgoers since 2007. Last year, the scheme reunited 118 people who had become separated from their group.
Free wristbands will be available at all seafront offices and RNLI lifeguard towers along the 15-mile coastline.
From 19 July, dedicated KidZone staff will work alongside seafront rangers at Bournemouth, Boscombe, Alum and Durley Chine beaches to hand out wristbands directly to families.
Parents or carers can write their contact details on the wristband, helping beach teams quickly reconnect lost individuals with their group. In total, nearly one million bands have been distributed since the scheme began, including 37,000 last year.
The scheme runs across Bournemouth’s beaches from Alum Chine to Southbourne, Christchurch’s Avon, Friars Cliff and Highcliffe beaches, and Poole’s Sandbanks, Shore Road and Branksome Chine.
Councillor Richard Herrett said the partnership with LV= continues to provide reassurance during busy beach days. Dorset Police, RNLI and council teams are also involved as part of wider efforts to keep the seafront safe.
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