Police in Fermanagh and Omagh are urging the public to stop damaging critical water rescue equipment, warning that a life could be lost as a result of recent vandalism.

The call comes after the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council revealed it has replaced around 500 throw lines across the district since March 2022, at a cost of around £15,000. The council noted that between March and August 2025, 85 throw lines were replaced on the Omagh Riverside Walk alone.

To highlight the issue, the local Neighbourhood Policing Team staged two rescue scenarios in the Strule River, with the help of the North West Mountain Rescue Team. One exercise demonstrated an effective rescue, while the second showed the precarious situation that arises when the equipment is unavailable. Sergeant Johnny Hamill, who led the enactments, said the equipment could be "the difference between life and death."

He added: "The throw lines are not toys or something to be played or messed about with. Aside from the obvious criminal offences arising from damaging or stealing the lines, for a person in need of rescue from the water to not have access to life-saving equipment, does not bear thinking about."

Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Shirley Hawkes, said it was "deeply concerning" that the devices continue to be targeted by vandalism.

The RNLI's Water Safety Partner, Tim Doran, and local paddlesports club, the Erne Paddlers, have also backed the campaign.

Sergeant Hamill is asking the public to report any damage or theft to police immediately by calling 101 or by using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.