BCP Council has increased its safety measures along Bournemouth beach after the deaths of two children.

It said a ‘co-ordinated multi agency approach’ had been implemented following the tragic events of May 31.

Sunnah Khan, 12, and Joe Abbess, 17, died following an incident off Bournemouth beach.

BCP Council said additional staff presence and communications to reassure the public and advise visitors of the ‘inherent dangers’ of the sea have been put in place.

The council continues to carry out ‘detailed analysis of sea conditions’ and of the resources available to ‘support the changing conditions of the water’.

The local authority said it works with the RNLI to provide lifeguard stations on the beaches that need it most.

“To decide the period and type of lifeguard cover at any one beach, we work in conjunction with the RNLI which conducts regular risk assessments that look at things like the number and type of beach users, the number and type of incidents, natural hazards, topography and availability of other rescue services in the area,” a spokesperson for BCP Council said.

“These assessments and recommendations that the RNLI provides inform us about which beaches would most benefit from lifeguard cover and other risk mitigations such as beach safety signage.

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“Setting up a lifeguard service is complex and involves the recruitment, training and provision of equipment which takes time to deliver.

“Despite the best efforts of the RNLI and BCP Council, and evidence-based risk assessments as well as many years of experience in lifesaving, leisure activity on and near the water will always carry a degree of risk.

“We work together to reduce this and to promote safer water use, but the sea is powerful and conditions can change rapidly so we will never entirely be able to eliminate the risk of drowning.”

Alongside increased staffing presence on the beaches, the council has also increased the use of safety messages over the seafront tannoys.

“These regularly relay information to beach users in the proximity of lifeguard towers throughout each day,” the spokesperson said.

“We have also placed additional banners and digital media in the vicinity of Bournemouth and Boscombe piers to help promote the RNLI Float to Live message.

“The rules on use of the water by craft are reviewed on an ongoing basis, however no changes are currently planned.”

The council reminded visitors and residents of their advice when visiting a beach this summer:

  • Visit a lifeguarded beach
  • Swim between the red and yellow flags at a lifeguarded beach
  • If you find yourself in trouble, float to live
  • Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if you are in trouble or see someone in difficulty