Scientists' plea to stop vandalising beach equipment in Cornwall

A group of scientists is urging people to stop vandalising its equipment left on beaches to monitor coastal changes.

The Coastsnap monitoring stations are part of a global citizen science project and have been placed at 18 beaches around Devon and Cornwall.

They allow people to take photos and send them in to South West Coastal Monitoring, to help them see how the beaches look in different conditions.

Kit has been vandalised at beaches in Newquay, Godrevy and Penzance.

The team based at Plymouth University wants to reassure the public the monitoring stations are part of an ongoing study into the changing shape of beaches, and not a way of harvesting personal information.

No personal details are taken when photos are submitted using a QR code.

The stations consist of a camera cradle and a signpost with information that tries to attract members of the public to take a photo so they track any changes over time.

Joseff Saunders, a coastal process scientist involved with the project said the equipment had been "damaged, or defaced or ripped off entirely" soon after it had been installed.

He said: "We tend to get about one or two photos submitted a day depending on the site, so we may not get any for these sites for a couple of months while we get around to replacing them.

"It's an inconvenience from a needles piece of vandalism. It is frustrating."

It is hoped the stations will remain for at least ten years so it will build a significant catalogue of images for the beaches involved.

Mr Saunders said: "For such a reasonably priced bit of kit all the way around the coast, it really helps us build a picture of daily interactions occurring at some of these vulnerable sites that are changing quickly.

"It changes so drastically day to day and the pictures really help keep an eye on what is happening over time."

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