Mayor Condemns Vandalism of Life-Saving Equipment on River Nene Following Multiple Tragedies

The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, has publicly condemned the repeated vandalism of life-saving emergency equipment along the River Nene, describing the acts as “disgusting” and pledging to take action to prevent further tragedies.

Image: Cambridge and Peterborough Mayor Paul Bristow, Ellie- Mai McNutt, Sharon McNutt, Farrah McNutt, Remi McNutt and Kali McNutt

In a Facebook post earlier today, the Mayor wrote:

“You have to be a particular type of cretin to think it’s cool to vandalise life-saving equipment on the river edge, especially when you hear the McNutt family’s story.

When her father, Damian ‘Damo’ McNutt, tragically drowned in the river in 2024, Ellie-Mai McNutt, now 13, took it upon herself to fundraise £1,500 to purchase two life buoys and a bleed control kit. They were installed at Henry Penn Walk.

Image: Damian McNutt and his three children Ellie, Remi and Kali

But on a number of occasions they have been targeted by vandals and removed. I am backing the family’s campaign to get CCTV installed here and will press both the police and the City Council on this.”

The post sparked widespread outrage from local residents, many of whom expressed frustration at repeated river fatalities and the vandalism of the safety equipment intended to prevent further loss of life.

Tragedy and Community Efforts

The equipment life buoys and a bleed control kit was installed following the tragic death of Damian “Damo” McNutt in 2024. His daughter, Ellie-Mai McNutt, raised £1,500 herself to ensure that no other family would face the same heartbreak.

Despite these efforts, the equipment has been repeatedly vandalised and removed, leaving a high-risk area without essential emergency tools.

Concerns have intensified following the death of Conor Kinlan in 2026, highlighting a pattern of fatal incidents along the River Nene. Residents have voiced frustration that more preventative measures are not in place along the riverbank.

Image: Conor Kinlan who tragically drowned in the the river Nene

Family Reaction

Speaking to Catch a Thief UK, Sharron McNutt, Damian’s mother and Ellie-Mai’s grandmother, said:

“Ellie-Mai worked incredibly hard to raise the funds to get the equipment installed so nobody else had to experience what we are going through after losing Damo.

The river looks appealing and safe, but water can be very deceiving. It has sadly claimed another life recently.

This just shows how important it is to ensure the life-saving equipment is replaced and that CCTV is fitted in the area.”

Image: When the equipment was first installed at the river Nene before it was stolen

Public Outrage and Community Calls

The Mayor’s post generated significant public reaction, with commenters highlighting the deaths of Damian McNutt (2024) and Conor Kinlan (2026) as evidence that urgent action is needed. One local wrote:

“I knew Damo. This is actually disgusting, the vandalism. I remember when they first went up. I caught a few kids messing about with them and now they have totally gone. Someone has died on the river nearly every year. Something needs to be done.”

Others expressed concern that CCTV alone may not be sufficient:

“CCTV is all well and good, but with a local police force that does very little to investigate crime and a judiciary that doesn’t issue punishments when criminals are apprehended, it will not stop.”

Catch a Thief UK Stance

Catch a Thief UK believes that vandalising life-saving equipment is reckless endangerment, not mere anti-social behaviour.

These acts:

Remove critical rescue tools

Put lives at immediate risk

Undermine community-funded safety efforts

Disrespect families who have already suffered tragedy

We support:

Immediate replacement of the equipment

CCTV coverage at high-risk river locations

Active police investigation and follow-up

Clear accountability for those responsible

With multiple fatalities already reported, the destruction of life-saving equipment cannot be treated lightly.

How to Report Information

Anyone with information regarding who stole or vandalised the equipment at Henry Penn Walk is urged to contact local police, Crimestoppers, or report directly to Catch a Thief UK.

Life-saving equipment exists for moments when seconds matter. Destroying it can make the difference between life and death.

Image: Catch a Thief UK News