Safety advice issued to coastal holiday visitors

Visitors to the coast have been warned about the risks of fast moving tides and mud ahead of the spring and summer.

Lincolnshire Police and the team at Cleethorpes resort have issued safety advice as they expect to see about 250,000 visitors during the holiday season.

Ch Insp Alina Ames said the force would be increasing vehicle and foot patrols for coastal areas.

The advice to tourists also included early reporting of nuisance behaviour and sticking together on nights out.

Ames urged people to contact the police if they see someone in trouble and said "early intervention prevents harm".

Manny Rodgers, deputy resort manager for Cleethorpes, warned visitors to be aware of the tides.

"We've got fast incoming tides, and we recommend people leave sandbanks five hours before high tide," he said.

Rodgers said there was a lot of mud, which moved all the time.

"You think you're on solid ground, and the next step, you could be up to your knee or waist in deep mud."

He advised people to stop and retrace their steps if they find the beach suddenly goes soft under foot.

Anyone who found themselves stuck was advised to stand still to stop themselves from sinking further, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

A police spokesperson urged coastal visitors to be mindful of noise late at night, advising groups to stay together and have a plan for getting home.

They recommended visitors use the Sandi Starfish scheme, which has signposted meeting points and offers free brightly coloured wristbands for children and vulnerable adults to help reunite families if they become separated.

They also encouraged people to visit the Atlantis Alliance Hub, based at Queen's Park Beach Huts in Mablethorpe. The hub is a one-stop centre for safety, advice, and reassurance and offers stickers and colouring books for children.

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