Mindless thieves and vandals are putting lives at risk by removing lifebelts from the Lower Promenade at Clacton.

Tendring District Council staff have had to replace ten lifebelts in the past week which have gone missing from the stretch of the promenade between the town's Pier and Gunfleet Sailing Club.

It takes the total in that area alone to 60 since the start of May - at a cost of £4,200.

The Council has 84 lifebelt stations along the Tendring coastline and the orange lifebelts are vital should someone get into difficulty in the water.

Pierre Oxley, TDC's Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said he was disgusted that some people could be so irresponsible and promised that action would be taken if they were caught.

"I find it very hard to believe why anyone would take this life-saving equipment and I cannot think what possible use they could have for it," he said.

"I can only assume it is some kind of prank on their part but I just hope no one gets into difficulty when one of the lifebelts is missing."

The stations are checked every day in the summer and once a week in the winter.

The stretch between Clacton Pier and Gunfleet Sailing Club is the worst black spot for the thefts. On average 150 are removed along the whole of the Tendring Coast each year and last year 78 went missing from just that area.

Very few are ever returned or found - only about half a dozen each year which may be washed up or discovered by fishermen.

Cllr Oxley said it was a criminal offence to tamper with the lifebelts.

"The Council will certainly be pressing for a prosecution against anyone who is caught in the act," he added.

"It may be that there is less of a danger during the winter when there are fewer people in that area of the seafront - but there is still a serious danger to life."

Anyone who spots a lifebelt being removed other than from the correct purpose should contact the police.