Coastguard urges Lancashire public to stop filming active rescues
Privacy concerns raised during emergencies in Lytham, Blackpool and Fleetwood
Coastguard teams across Lancashire are appealing to the public to stop filming rescue operations as concerns over privacy and safety mount.
HM Coastguard Lytham, with support from HM Coastguard Fleetwood and RNLI Blackpool, issued the plea following recent incidents where rescue efforts were disrupted by onlookers with cameras and phones.
During a rescue mission at North pier, held in the early hours of Sunday, lifeboat crews reached a person in the water.
As the casualty was brought ashore, someone recorded footage nearby, hampering rescue operations and potentially affecting the team's ability to assist efficiently.
A separate emergency saw crews helping a distressed individual in the sand dunes, with the casualty expressing worry about being filmed.
Coastguard representatives voiced concerns that when individuals are in dire need of assistance, fear of being filmed could prevent them from calling for help.
The teams emphasise the importance of respecting privacy and dignity for casualties and the rescue teams, some members of which prefer not to be featured on social media.
Despite acknowledging that halting such activity entirely might be impossible, they urge people to avoid engaging with posts showing inappropriate rescue footage.
The teams encourage the community to stay informed through official social media pages where updates and safety messages are shared regularly.