A PETITION has been created following a demonstration calling for greater safety measures at Rockley Point beach.

The demonstration took place on September 11, following the death of Callum Baker-Osbourne at the beach in July.

The 18-year-old's family made the trip from Coventry to attend the protest in the hopes of one day sparing another family their pain.

They protested over the inadequate safety equipment available and lack of visible signage of the dangers of swimming off the beach at Rockley Point.

There was nothing on the beach to indicate previous incidents and the signage about rip-tides had not made the danger clear.

Since Callum’s passing, there has been a further incident of children being swept away by currents whilst in the water.

Following the demonstration Callum’s family, local councillors, activists and those who had experienced incidents at Rockley Point themselves, put together a petition.

The petition called on BCP Council to work with Haven, the RNLI and the Harbour Commission to take action and upgrade the signage and safety equipment, to prevent further tragedies at the beach.

Four days later the petition was launched online and in person along Poole Quay. Within the first 24 hours the group had collected 150 signatures online and a further 300 in person.

The petition currently has 500 paper signatures and 288 online. In order to be presented at full council, 2,000 BCP residents will need to sign the petition before Nov 24th.

Cllr Vikki Slade, one of those supporting and organising the petition, said: “I’m simply lost for words with the way this has taken off, we are confident we will achieve the required number in good time.

"The people of Poole felt this tragedy and I’ve never seen such a willingness to take action, it is truly heartwarming to see the eagerness with which people approached us, determined to prevent something like this happening yet again.”

Pauline Ferrick-Squibb who organised the demonstration and is helping to run the petition said: “My own daughter had to be rescued at this location several years ago and those of us who know the beach cannot understand why steps haven’t already been taken to better communicate the dangers and risk following the tragic events of the summer.

"I hope this momentum continues so we can have the petition presented to the council, so they cannot ignore the calls from so many people to make Rockley Point safe.”

The petition can be found on the BCP Council website by searching ‘petitions’ or via the following link: https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=139&RPID=2577676&HPID=2577676