Emergency service call-outs, lost children and 68 situations requiring first aid treatment were among the incidents recorded on an Isle of Wight beach over the summer.
Mayor Steve Cooper described Ventnor beach safety as a ‘hot topic’ at Ventnor Town Council (VTC) on Monday 12th October ahead of a public consultation evening next month where the issue is due to be discussed.
VTC’s beach safety report for 2026 documents activities taken by the public body’s officers over an eight-week period between 13th July and 6th September.
Records show 41 incidents of dogs on the beach where advice was given to owners, two relating to barbecues or fires and 223 instances where beach safety advice or warnings were given.
There were also 289 occasions where tourist information was provided, 68 situations needing first aid treatment, two lost children and two call-outs to emergency services.
Over a 17-week season last year, beginning on 19th May and finishing on 14th September, there were 99 beach dog incidents where advice was given to owners, four instances relating to barbecues or fires and 44 urgent litter picks.
Officers also recorded 90 times that beach safety advice or warnings were given, six occasions where people were helped in the water, 59 incidents requiring first aid treatment, one lost child and one call-out to emergency services.
Mayor Cooper said:
“We’ve got an important consultation meeting on November 4 for the town and community. One of the topic areas, in fact topic area number two is going to be beach safety.
“I expect there to be a full house simply because we know this is a hot topic. So having as much detail as we possibly can arm ourselves with is going to be good for all of us.”
VTC’s public consultation evening, jointly organised with Ventnor Carnival Committee, will be held at St Catherine’s Church at 18:00 on Wednesday, 4th November.
