Coastguard sees surge in call-outs as heatwave leaves Britain’s beaches ‘busiest in years’
The Coastguard has reported a surge in call-outs as Britons piled onto beaches amid scorching temperatures.
The rescue service said around 70 requests for help had been made by midday on Friday, which is “above average for this time of year”.
By 9am, hundreds of sun-worshippers had already flocked to the coast to make the most of what is set to be the hottest day of the year so far.
Temperatures are forecast to rise as high as 37C in London and the South East, with the heatwave expected to last into next week.
It comes as a number of beaches across the south coast were put on red alert, with local authorities pleading with visitors and residents to "play their part" in avoiding overcrowding.
The Coastguard reported its busiest day for more than four years as it dealt with 329 incidents on July 31, when the UK recorded the hottest day of the year so far and the third warmest on record.
Matt Leat, head of infrastructure and technology lead at HM Coastguard, said this weekend could see a similar number of call-outs as families take advantage of the heatwave.
Mr Leat urged the public not to use inflatables at the beach as they get blown out to sea, and to check the tide to keep safe and to look out for each other.
He said the number of people on UK beaches this weekend “will be up there” with bank holidays, adding: “It’s highly possible some of the beaches are the busiest in a number of years.”
“But we are asking the public to take an element of self-responsibility and think about what they do when they go out to the coast.”
Meanwhile, the RNLI has called on beachgoers to follow water safety advice and adhere to social distancing.
Last week, the charity carried out 30 rescues in one day on just one beach in Cornwall.
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Beaches and parks packed as temperatures set to soar to 37C- LIVE
