A scheme to ensure that children don’t get lost on the beach has returned to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole seafront.

LV= KidZone, which started in 2007, is run in partnership with BCP Council. This beach safety scheme provides essential support to the seafront team working in conjunction with Dorset Police and the RNLI. It has reunited hundreds of children and vulnerable adults who have become separated from their parents, guardians or carers, as well as aiming to reduce the incidence of them becoming lost in the first place.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, portfolio holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, BCP Council said: “Last year, led by our multi agency response, we successfully managed to reunite over 245 missing / found persons within an average time of 14 minutes thanks to these wristbands. We want to ensure everyone who comes to the beach has a safe and enjoyable day out and whilst people should always keep an eye on young children, these wristbands provide the extra peace of mind should they wonder off in that split second when you glance away, which is why they’re so important.”

From 26 June up to (and including) 4 September, over 50,000 free waterproof wristbands which enable parents, guardians or carers to write their mobile number inside and attach to their child or vulnerable adult, will be handed out by specially trained LV= KidZone staff, seafront rangers and from RNLI beach lifeguard towers from Sandbanks through to Southbourne beach.

From 9 July, these wristbands will also be available from a seafront ranger or at a RNLI beach lifeguard tower on Friars Cliff, Avon and Highcliffe beaches.

If the child or vulnerable adult should wander off unnoticed and be reported as lost, the multi-agency control command centre will coordinate a set search procedure to locate the missing person, with these wristbands providing essential details to ensure they’re swiftly and safely reunited with their loved ones.

Signage detailing LV= KidZone, alongside prevention and action information for missing persons, will also be displayed in multiple ways along the promenade and Bournemouth pier.

The dedicated LV= KidZone team will be in operation between Alum Chine and Boscombe on the following beaches:    Bournemouth: 26 June – 4 September (every day); Alum Chine: 16 July – 4 September (Friday – Monday); Durley Chine: 16 July – 4 September (Friday – Monday) and Boscombe: 16 July – 4 September (Friday – Monday)

If anyone comes across a missing child or vulnerable adult, they are advised to report immediately to a member of the LV= KidZone team, a seafront ranger or RNLI Lifeguard who will be on hand to help.