Seaside vigilante puts up warning sign to visitors saying it’s a CRIME to steal pebbles from beach

A seaside vigilante has put up a warning message to visitors – saying it is a crime to pinch pebbles from their beach.

Anyone caught taking pebbles from the beach at Amroth in Pembrokeshire could face a fine of up to £1,000. 

Taking away sacks full of pebbles leaves the coast open to erosion – this led to the Coastal Protection Act 1949.

But one concerned vigilante has taken action to make sure beach-goers are aware of the risks they face when they pocket the rocks. 

One concerned vigilante has taken action to make sure beach-goers are aware of the risks they face when they pocket the rocks

The unsigned laminated sign reads: ‘The stones on this beach are part of Amroth’s vital sea defences. Removal is a criminal offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution.’ 

Others have had mixed reactions to the sign appearing on the beach at Amroth.

Mark Woodward said on Facebook: ‘During the heyday of TV’s Ground Force programme and Charlie Dimmock with her water features, in Dorset they had to sue people taking stones from the famous Chesil Beach as so many were being taken.

‘People were going there with sacks to get them.’

Taking away sacks full of pebbles leaves the coast open to erosion – and so the Coastal Protection Act 1949 was made

But Ben Williams said it was difficult to stop sometimes and the vigilante should focus on littering instead.

He said: ‘When your three-year-old little girl wants to keep a pretty little pebble she found I can’t say no.

‘It’s not what people take off the beaches that’s the problem, it’s what ends up on the beaches that people throw away.’

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed the poster was not one of theirs. 

Ben Williams said it was difficult to stop sometimes and the vigilante should focus on littering instead