A new coastwatch station designed to save lives at sea has been targeted by vandals six times since it opened in May.

Equipment from the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) station on the promenade at Winterstoke Gardens in Ramsgate was taken and damaged following the latest break-in on Friday.

Thieves stole vital VHF radio communications equipment used by the charity’s volunteers to alert the Coastguard when people are in difficulty leading to fear lives could be put at risk.

Paul Waterman, station manager at NCI Ramsgate, said: "We are all volunteers sharing the same mission which is to keep a daily watch for people in danger around our coast and we alert HM Coastguard so the emergency services can be sent to save lives.

“Without our equipment, we cannot do this vital public safety work and so we are appealing to everyone to pass on any information on the vandalism to the police”.

The NCI is an entirely voluntary charity, and Ramsgate is one of 60 stations around the coast.

It relies on the generosity of members of the public and local communities to continue its work.

Mr Waterman added: "There is a clear need for an NCI station at Ramsgate and we've had fantastic support from the local community.

“Thanet District Council, Ramsgate Harbour Board, Ramsgate RNLI and HM Coastguard were all instrumental in supporting the opening of the station here in Ramsgate, as they see NCI as a vital addition to the water and coastal path safety programme for this area.

"We are now in the expensive process of repairing and replacing the lost and vandalised equipment so that we can continue our work and we'd very much welcome any support."

Police say they were made aware of the metal theft from an organisation near Victoria Parade, Ramsgate between Thursday and Friday.

Officers are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances and anyone with information should call 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/143028/24.