WARNINGS have been issued after numerous reports of red flare sightings in the Hamworthy Park and Holes Bay areas of Poole.

Volunteers from Poole Coastguard Rescue Team and Poole Lifeboat Station have been called out on several occasions but have found nothing.

The latest incident took place when teams searched the area on the evening of Tuesday February 25.

Reports have been received shortly after burglaries to water sports facilities and beach huts in the area.

Mark Rodway of HM Coastguard said: "Red flares are meant to signal distress at sea. If there’s no genuine emergency, it is an offence and you could find yourself facing serious charges under firearms or even explosives legislation if you fire one and you’re not on a boat.

"If you are on a vessel and you set one off if you’re not in trouble, you’re still infringing the Merchant Shipping Act. Flares are also dangerous if safety precautions aren’t taken.’

"On this occasion, it also resulted in several rescue units being called out as every report has to be investigated. We will always encourage people to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they think someone’s in difficulty so that we can investigate. But we would strongly advise and remind people that they should not set off red flares unless they are in distress at sea."

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call police on 101 and ask for the Hamworthy Neighbourhood Police Team.

If you see someone in trouble on the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.