A quad bike used to support lifesaving work on Tendring’s beaches has been stolen by thieves during a break-in at Walton Beach Patrol station.

The Tendring District Council (TDC) facility was targeted at around 3am on Monday (12 October) after an electric lock was smashed and a shutter was forced open.

At around 4am, an unsuccessful attempt was also made to break into the Beach Patrol office in Clacton, which was empty.

The stolen quad bike is a blue Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS, registration AY22 CFE, and is valued at more than £4,500. The final repair bill is still being assessed but is expected to run into hundreds of pounds.

The stolen vehicle is a vital part of Beach Patrol’s response, allowing jet skis, rescue boards and other essential equipment to be moved quickly to where they are needed. It is also used to support checks and the fitting of lifesaving equipment at key locations along the district’s coastline.

Councillor Mick Barry, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Realm, said: “We are absolutely appalled that someone has stolen equipment used to help save lives on our beaches.

“This was not simply the theft of a vehicle. This quad bike helps our Beach Patrol team get rescue equipment to the right place quickly when every second can matter.

“Our staff work tirelessly to keep residents and visitors safe, and it is shocking that anyone would deliberately target the equipment they rely on to do that job.

“We will not allow this criminal act to undermine our lifesaving work. Anyone who knows who was responsible, or who has seen the quad bike, should contact the police immediately.”

All equipment and vehicles have now been moved to alternative secure locations, and no equipment is being stored in Beach Patrol offices.

During the 2026 summer season, Beach Patrol staff rescued almost 100 people in difficulty in the sea, while the team’s boat and jet skis were called out more than 150 times. Staff also gave safety advice on more than 12,000 occasions and provided first aid 188 times.

Anyone with information about the break-in or the stolen quad bike is encouraged to report it to Essex Police at www.essex.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.

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