PEMBROKE town councillors have warned vandals throwing lifesaving rings into the town’s Mill Pond are putting lives at risk.

The stark warning follows recent deaths in the Mill Pond area, with three lives lost this year.

The latest death, on July 27, was 18-year-old Robert Mansfield, who died in the early hours after entering the water following his birthday celebrations the previous day.

Concerns have previously been raised about a need to improve safety in the waters of the Mill Pond and surrounding area.

Speaking at the August meeting of Pembroke Town Council, Councillor Dai Boswell said existing life-saving rubber rings had woeful security.

“One of my pet hates is the life rings around the Mill Pond; they are constantly getting thrown in the Mill Pond,” said Cllr Boswell.

He told members how he had recovered a ring from the Mill Pond, where it had lain for four months, pointing out that one safety ring in a secure case was “never touched”.

“What I’m asking is we go to county council and demand, not ask: can we have all of those rings taken away and put in the proper boxes and then they will be left alone.”

He said that issues on dangerous roads were soon addressed, adding: “Why has it got to take a death in this town, in this county, before something is done? Why can’t they do it at the Mill Pond? We’ve just lost another guy; this is why we need these life rings protected.”

Cllr Boswell also highlighted the rubbish-strewn state of the stream by the town’s Orange Gardens.

Councillor Wyn Jenkins said signs were needed at the Mill Pond warning of the dangers of vandalism.

“We’ve got to do something to deter this; whoever’s mucking about with these rings is potentially taking a life.”