Frustrated swimmers smash locked down beach facilities to access the sea

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department suspended the opening of its beaches on 15 July. Unfortunately, many swimmers, frustrated with not having access to the sea, have been damaging beach fences and other facilities. Some even destroyed locks on locker rooms to get inside. Yesterday morning (23/7), a staff member at the Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung discovered that the lock of the locker room was damaged. The police are investigating

Owing to the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic hitting Hong Kong recently, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department closed the 41 beaches under its jurisdiction and fenced off entrances and exits, including beach changing rooms, shower facilities  and toilets. However, in recent days, swimmers have ignored them and some have broken into the “restricted area” to swim or sunbathe. Many beach fences were damaged. 9:00 am yesterday, the lock of the locker room at Clear Water Bay Second Beach was damaged, and the water switch damaged.

Second Beach was not the only place vandalised yesterday.  Ting Kau’s Lido Beach, near Tsuen Wan, had multiple quarantine tapes on the stairs leading to the beach cut down. There were more than a dozen people on the beach basking in the sun and swimming. Some of the swimmers are also suspected of opening the disabled toilet. Some fences were found deliberately damaged at Repulse Bay Beach and Tuen Mun Golden Beach also.

 The LCSD stated today (24/7) that it has strengthened the cordoning off of beaches to prevent the public from entering. Apart from showering facilities and changing rooms, toilets at beaches have also been closed. While some beach areas may not be completely blocked off due to terrain constraints, the LCSD urges the public to be self-disciplined, and not to enter the beach areas or attempt to damage venue facilities.

A spokesman stressed that entering a closed beach is an offence and offenders may face prosecution. Staff of the LCSD will step up patrols of the beaches concerned. Enforcement action will be taken as appropriate if the advice is ignored. Police assistance will be sought if there is any action involving criminal damage.