A BEACH safety campaign has been launched to ensure that Islanders can “enjoy Jersey’s beautiful coastline safely and responsibly”.
The Building a Safer Community (BASC) initiative is a collaboration between the Jersey ambulance service, Jersey Coastguard, the Fire and Rescue Service, the States police, honorary police and the RNLI.
In a joint statement, the organisations said: “With warmer weather and the summer holidays approaching, the services are joining together to ensure that everyone can enjoy Jersey’s beautiful coastline safely and responsibly.
“Beaches are for everyone – and so is safety, which is why this year’s campaign promotes
simple but vital reminders that can help save lives, prevent injury, and protect our shared
environment.”
The campaign is to be promoted on social media and through signage.
BASC co-ordinator Cirsty de Gruchy Moseley said: “We’re proud to be working in
partnership with Jersey’s emergency services to make sure everyone enjoys a safe and
respectful summer.
“The aim is to highlight a few simple but important dos and don’ts that can help prevent
avoidable emergencies and reduce the need to call 999.
“Prevention is key – and these small actions make a big difference.”
BASC claimed that crime in affected areas dropped by 80% and instances of anti-social behaviour in “the usual hotspots” decreased by 25% following last year’s campaign.
Police officers are “actively supporting” the initiative and “engaging with beachgoers of all ages” to offer safety advice, according to BASC.
Detective Sergeant David Bowler, from the community policing team, said: “We do see
increased demand during the summer months, particularly around issues like anti-social
behaviour, littering and alcohol consumption that can sometimes escalate into disorder.
“While there are laws in place that we can enforce if needed, our hope is that informal
conversations and early engagement will help prevent problems before they arise.
“Community policing is about more than enforcement, it’s about building trust, listening to concerns, and working together to create safer spaces for everyone. By being visible,
approachable, and proactive, we can prevent issues before they escalate and help people
feel confident and secure in their communities.”
Advice is also being issued on how Islanders can protect themselves from heat-related illness and how to barbeque safely.
Station commander for fire safety, Mark Bailey-Walker, said that they responded to incidents every year caused by disposable barbeques, including bin fires, which were “entirely avoidable”.
He said: “These incidents not only impact our community and environment, but they also divert vital firefighting resources away from other emergencies.
“Prevention is key – by following simple safety advice, everyone can enjoy their barbeques
responsibly and help ensure that our crews remain available for those who truly need
them.”
Islanders are also advised to visit beaches where the RNLI is on duty and swimming between the red and yellow flags.
Jersey Coastguard manager Phil Le Neveu said: “We would also advise everyone to check the tide before heading to the beach, especially if you’re planning walks into low tide areas.
“It’s important to know your limits and be aware of your surroundings. If you find yourself, or you see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.”
