A team of ‘Island Ambassadors’ will be patrolling beaches on the Isle of Wight this month to ensure that holidaymakers are adhering to social distancing guidelines, as well as monitoring littering, graffiti, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour.
Isle of Wight Council staff have been re-deployed from their usual roles to become so-called ambassadors, wearing bright orange t-shirts so they are easily spotted.
The team will be patrolling the main tourist resorts of Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor throughout the summer holidays and will be offering people advice and guidance on how to stay COVID-safe while still enjoying the sun, sea and sand.
Part of the role is to monitor and report incidents of littering, graffiti, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour – incidents which can have a financial penalty for the perpetrator.
Annabel Fletcher is 1 of 22 leisure service staff to be redeployed into the new role. She said:
“My role entails patrolling Sandown Esplanade, checking for any probolems, making sure people are happy on the beach and adhering to social distance guidelines.
“The reaction from holidaymakers and residents has been positive and everyone is happy to speak to us.”
It is hoped the programme will help avoid overcrowded beaches as seen in other south coast resorts including Bournemouth and Brighton.
Council leader, Dave Stewart, said:
“Reminding people to be vigilant and adopt all of the right behaviours to prevent the spread of coronavirus is a key role for us, especially with visitors to the Island.
“The ambassadors will add an extra dimension to our public information campaign that will continue through the summer based on the principles of ‘respect, protect, enjoy’, which has the support of the Island’s whole tourism industry.”
Will Myles, managing director of Visit Isle of Wight, said:
“It’s great to see this Island Ambassador initiative to help, advise and assist our visitors and Island residents alike to feel that increased level of confidence and to mirror the Visit England national message that here on the Isle of Wight ‘We’re Good to Go’.
They are only babes as if people are going to take notice of them good luck is all I say!
I thought one of the babes had a Freddy Mercury mowie, but it is just the shadow of the cap.
Lets hope they are happy to do this thankless, pointless task, it is unfair for the young to have to face the growing numbers of low life we now have here who can’t ever be ‘told’ anything without resorting to abuse or violence.
They look very professional young people, and will have been trained properly, e.g: politeness, customer-focussed and objection-handling, Babies, they are not – please give them time to make an impact!
Police / Specials, even Army would have been a better idea …
Your average littering, graffiti-ing, “I don’t care about” Covidiot ain’t gonna listen to a girl in an orange teeshirt..
The Army? What kind of dystopian hell do you want to live in for heavens sake?
This just shows us dave hope dumb these sheep are! Plus they have really bad memories, social distance is not law! So put it I your pipe and soke it,lol
How
Sorry people predicted txt
Social distancing is a responsibility, designed to protect All of us from the spread of Covid, even you Mr Justice. you clearly do not understand the very basic advice designed to save the human race from this virus that is having a devastating affect across this planet.
Sad you are so full of abuse you can’t see what is going on around you.
From looking on various different articles regarding Covid Mr justice pretty much spends his day writing his unwelcome and useless comments on every sensible sounding comment on here.
Just ignore him.
Yes iowter please do ignore all that I post, because when the stuff hits the fan, you will be another ignorant fool that I can say, well I told you. I fact there is so much evidence and people waking up, that you will feel embarrassed with yourself, so yeah ,crack on. You haven’t a clue what’s coming, but when it’s here, you will wish you listened to the people who are awake!
You are absolutely correct, it really is a pitty we have people like this, there are times he goes just too far.
If telling the truth with facts to back it up is going to far Kev? Then ,I’m afraid you people shall reap what you sow.
I agree,IF the virus was as bad as they first said, 500,000 to die uk. But no 46,000 and that’s counting anyone who has died of anything. The liars (government) say certain people in society dont have to wear a mask.eg shop workers,so the virus will only attack customers? Are you saying you believe this? One day last week 13 people died with covid, and we are suppose to be in fear. Same day 1400 people died of alsorts ,and life carrys on. If you want to believe the lies,that’s your choice,not me ,I can think for myself.
It’s still 46k people dead! You have no compassion for anyone and it’s people like you who are responsible. Just keep your views to yourself
When you become an adult smithy, you will realise people have different opinions, if you dont like those opinions, you can raise your own opinions, its called debate .But to stop people debating, well that was popular in 1940 in Germany, when I have more time I will explain that to you also ,if you dont understand.
Well said Mr Justice – these brainwashed sheep are doing precisely as they are told – next step “track and trace enforcement” – which is translated as “we will be watching where you go and who you are with”
I’m sorry to say but you are right islander. Track and trace , then vaccination. More people will die with the vaccination, and no one will be accountable, you cant sue, it’s the law! So when you all agree to take the vacation, it maybe the last injection you ever have, and that also goes for your kids, think about that one.
Bring back smallpox I say – and down with vaccination!
Very funny old mike, but that was different times, times when some politicians wanted to help society. I don’t need to talk about today do I. Or do I?
You will believe anything you are told…if they said to get in the cattle trucks you would be 1st.
A foul mouthful of abuse is all the thanks they will mostly get.
People KNOW, they just don’t CARE.
The councillor ‘business’ owner will want as many on the beaches as feasible so only ever a token gesture approach to safety as ‘profits’ will come first.
Brilliant Idea. Great to see some out-of-the-box pro active thinking .
Don’t know why you’ve been voted down?! Good idea but unfortunately people will not listen
Brilliant idea. Hope they don’t get too much abuse. Good luck.
How can the council do that. When they can’t even get the road rite at hospital.bunch of idiots.2 sets of traffic lights just after hospital. The traffic was doing ok now they gone and messed it up.9.5 million pound of our money down the drain
Not a bad idea, will definately get some cocky mouthy prats to deal with but unfortunately some people cant be helped.
Hope the summer goes well for them.
they are not 2 metres apart
Why after 3mths did they not train them up to be PCSOs, or civil enforcement and they could issue on spot fines and at least make some money.
What powers do they have?
Sorry to say but the drunks & belligerents will not take recommendations from these good souls.
If it gets that bad close the beaches to give warning of what could happen.
As with the Governments rulings the Council are taking softly softly approach & should be more firm with the offenders.
Stop this Dad’s Army ‘Wilson’ approach they need to grow a pair & come down heavy on these offenders!
Take the example in Australia fine heavily!
What you mean like those blm protesters they smashed and looted pulled down statues etc. Oh and none of them were bs social distancing. Yeah they had big fines didnt they? People like u are a joke, bad one at that.
I have to apologise to you Arthur sauage sir, I came across to aggressive for a moment. I am passionate about an injustice, and to me if people do something wrong then the punishment should be the same for all! Letting protesters off lightly then heavy fines for people at the beach doesnt seem right. That’s why I’m Mr justice, the same justice for all.