Published on Tuesday 10 September 2024
LV= KidZone, which helped keep children and vulnerable people safe across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s (BCP) coastline throughout 2024, has proved a huge success this summer.
The beach safety scheme, which is run by BCP Council and sponsored by leading UK life and pensions mutual insurer LV= for the summer season, was in operation this year from 1 July – 1 September.
Over the 63 days LV= KidZone was active, around 37,000 were distributed to children and vulnerable people by dedicated LV= KidZone representatives, trained RNLI Lifeguards and BCP Council Seafront staff.
These wristbands had a parent or guardian’s contact details written on them, as well as their location on the beach. This information could then be used to help reunite any missing person quickly and easily.
In total, the scheme helped to unite 118 lost people with their group in an average of just 8 minutes.
During Bournemouth Air Festival alone, which ran from Thursday 29 – Saturday 31 August and attracted nearly half a million visitors, LV= KidZone helped find 33 missing people in an average time of 8 minutes, while more than 10,000 wristbands were handed out.
Councillor Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations said: “Our wonderful seafront attracts a huge number of visitors and residents over the summer season, and we know that on a busy day children and vulnerable people can disappear from sight very quickly.
“Losing someone can be a frightening experience for everyone involved, and the KidZone initiative plays an important role in improving the safety of everyone who visits our beaches.
“It has proved to be a huge success once again this year and we are grateful to LV=, with whom we have a long-standing and successful relationship, for their support again this summer.
"I would also like to thank the BCP Council Seafront Staff and RNLI Lifeguards who have worked tirelessly to help run this initiative on the ground again this year."
Discussing the value of the scheme, Samantha Preece, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at LV= said:
“We’re proud to support such a fantastic initiative which has proved incredibly successful in helping reunite someone who was lost with their loved ones.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the LV= KidZone representatives, RNLI lifeguards and the BCP Seafront team for supporting this summer initiative and keeping beach visitors safe.
“This scheme is a shining example of partnership working and the positive impact it can have on supporting families in our local community.”
The scheme’s conclusion is timed with the end of the school summer holidays, as children return to full-time education.
If you are planning on visiting the beach whilst KidZone is inactive, trained RNLI lifeguards can be found at lifeguard towers along the seafront, and remain on hand to offer help, advice and support.
The following lifeguard towers will be staffed until 29 September: Boscombe East and West, Bournemouth East and West and Sandbanks. More information can be found here: Lifeguards and beach safety | BCP (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
In a life-threatening emergency on the beach, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.