VANDALISM of River Wye lifebelts is now so commonplace that Herefordshire Council is buying the buoys in bulk.
Councillor Chris Chappell says attacks on lifebelt points along the riverbank are a particular problem in Hereford, especially along the walkway between Hunderton and Putson.
Sometimes the buoys are battered, sometimes they simply disappear, he says.
Coun Chappell wants more attention paid to the problem in light of last week's river rescue when a woman was pulled from the Wye at Greyfriars.
River users like the Rowing Club recover some buoys set adrift, says Coun Chappell.
But with so many buoys regularly wrecked or missing the council is buying them in bulk, he says.
"We need some sort of river watch scheme to report buoys as missing or damaged. The vandals are putting lives at risk."
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