Successful Water Safety Day held in Penzance

Police have thanked the public and its partners, including the RNLI, for a successful Penzance Water Safety Day at the weekend.

Hundreds of people turned up for the event which took place on and off the town’s promenade.

Police officers from the neighbourhood police team and Devon & Cornwall Police's dive team were on hand to speak to visitors and answer their questions.

Joining Devon & Cornwall Police were partners including RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station Cornwall, HM Coastguard, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Cornwall Council, National Coastwatch institution, RNLI events and water safety team along with the RNLI shop, Mor Swimmy and other local businesses.

Organised by Penzance Police and Safer Penzance, the free event included emergency service teams who provided a ‘behind the scenes’ look at kit including police vehicles and more.

Water demonstrations by the police dive team and the RNLI Coastguard helicopter and the Border Force were watched by people gathering on the promenade.

Olly Bayliss, community safety officer from Penzance Safer said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come out and chat to us. We had many different water users from all ages and their families coming up to check out the kit and find out more about how keep yourself and others safe, as well as the impressive work being done in partnership locally such as the designated swim zones and the pontoon project which people might not know about.

“The weather was good to us so we were super happy and excited to see the water demonstrations go ahead and impress the crowd! Our work is far from done so we will be back next year again promoting the same Respect the Water message.”