NEWS

Stay safe and enjoy our beaches.

That’s the message from Councils, emergency services, NHS and other partners in Ayrshire as the Ayrshire Safer Shores 2023 campaign is launched. 

Safer Shores is a partnership initiative involving Ayrshire Civil Contingencies Team, British Red Cross, British Transport Police, Coastwatch, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, North and South Ayrshire Councils, Police Scotland, ScotRail, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Stagecoach. 

The purpose of Safer Shores is to safeguard members of the public and others that visit the Ayrshire coast during ‘beach season’, ensuring people can travel safely, and have a pleasant visitor experience. 

 Alongside this, partners work to maintain Ayrshire’s status as a leading visitor destination and minimise any impact on local communities and have a comprehensive plan in place to help achieve this. 

The plan sets out what partners will do to maximise public safety, minimise disorder and provide public reassurance to ensure everyone can enjoy Ayrshire’s safer shores over the summer.  

This includes alcohol bans on trains running to and from the Ayrshire coast; extra Police Scotland and British Transport Police patrols on trains, in and around train stations, and on the beaches; increased community safety, environmental and Coastguard patrols; and enforcement of the no alcohol by-law in public places – including beaches. 

 Councillor Martin Dowey, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: “It’s fantastic that people travel from far and wide to enjoy our beaches. Our coastline is widely appreciated and with the weather forecast looking promising there are sure to be plenty of people ready to enjoy some fun in the sun. We will work with our partners to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves safely and ask that people visiting our beaches dispose of any rubbish responsibly.”  

Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy at North Ayrshire Council, said: “We’re always delighted to welcome residents and visitors to our beautiful, award-winning coastline and beaches. We want everyone to enjoy their visit without having their day spoiled by a small number of people, so please remember to bring plenty of water, sun cream and be considerate of others when you leave by binning your litter.” 

Superintendent Shaheen Baber said: “Ayrshire’s beaches are popular destinations for tourists and local residents, particularly in spells of good weather. 

“People should be able to do enjoy their day safely and a comprehensive policing plan, alongside our partners, is in place to ensure that is the case. 

 “We would encourage people to enjoy themselves responsibly with consideration for others. Any criminal or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will carry out enforcement action where required. 

“By working collaboratively with our partners on the Safer Shores initiative, we aim to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable day on the beach.”  

You can keep up to date with the Ayrshire Safer Shores campaign by following the hashtag #AyrshireSaferShores on social media.