Thieves have stolen vital lifesaving equipment from a lifeguard hut at Leven beach.
The RNLI hut on Leven Promenade was broken into at some point between Sunday and Monday and public address equipment was taken, along with a radio base unit and handset, binoculars and a mobile phone.
Lifeguard supervisor for the RNLI Giordano Ceccarelli said the theft had hindered the work of lifeguards at a time when beaches around the country are at their busiest.
“It’s very disappointing that someone would steal from one of our lifeguard huts,” he said.
“Our lifeguards work hard throughout the summer to keep people safe on and off the water.
“Stealing our equipment makes their job more difficult, impacts the safety of the public and costs money donated to the charity by our supporters.”
In 2017 RNLI lifeguards in Scotland dealt with 207 incidents, aided 220 people and carried out 59,718 preventative actions.
Police Scotland has urged anyone with any information about the theft to get in touch.
The hut was broken into between 6pm on Sunday and 6.50pm on Monday.
Detective Sergeant Jim McGuiness of Levenmouth CID said: “This is a disgraceful attack on a charity resource that helps keep local people and visitors safe while enjoying our beach.
“I would appeal for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area of the hut over the weekend to please come forward and speak to officers immediately.”
Witnesses can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling Burntisland, Leven, St Andrews East Sands, St Andrews West Sands and Elie Harbour beaches until August 27.
Patrols at Aberdour Silver Sands will continue until September 30.
Just seven beaches across Scotland have lifeguards on patrol every day of the week between 10am and 6pm, and six of these are in Fife.
The other is Coldingham Bay, near Eyemouth in the Borders.
This year’s heatwave has meant Fife’s beaches have been busier than usual as locals and visitors make the most of the unusually long spell of warm weather.
The RNLI has urged bathers to ensure they keep themselves safe by swimming between red and yellow flags which mark the lifeguard-patrolled zone, and to observe tide times and any notices about dangerous currents.
