THESE shocking pictures show the moment a group of idiotic youngsters put lives at risk – by carelessly throwing lifebelts into the River Clyde.

The act – described by water safety campaigners as “sickening” – was caught on camera at the Cuningar Loop footbridge in the East End, near the Sir Chris Hoy Velordrome, on Sunday afternoon.

The pictures show four boys – all in their mid-teens – riding bicycles in the area in possession of a life-saving belt.

One of the boys can be seen swinging the belt while cycling over the bridge before lobbing it into the water below.

Glasgow Times:

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George Parsonage, who has dedicated his life to water safety on the Clyde with the Glasgow Humane Society, has urged anyone who knows the children to contact the police.

He told the Glasgow Times: “People must know who these kids are. They’re risking lives.

“It’s very disappointing.

“I have a poster from back in 1860 with complaints about vandalism to lifebelts on the river and nothing has changed but what can we do with it? People just don’t seem to give a damn.

“We need to make an example of these people. I keep saying – it could be your mother, father, sister or friend. People need to think about that”.

The reckless vandalism is sadly not an isolated incident.

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Just last week we told you how since November, 400 metres of distinctive lifebelt throwropes have been cut and stolen from the banks of the Clyde.

And newly-implemented emergency lifeline telephones – which provides a direct link to the Samaritans or emergency services – were also hit by graffiti and vandalism.

Stef Shaw, aka the Glasgow Cabbie, helped spearhead the Think Again campaign which fought for the telephones to be installed.

He is now calling on more work to be done to educate youngsters in the dangers of the River Clyde in a bid to cut down the amount of vandalism to the vital waterside equipment.

Stef said: “I’m shellshocked. People still are not listening to the dangers and this is heartbreaking to see.

“There has been press in Glasgow about vandalism for decades, it’s been well publicised but whatever work is being done clearly isn’t working.

“We must get the message into schools. People from emergency services and health and safety who can get the message across the children should go into schools and give talks.

“We must stress to young people the importance of the Clyde and it’s history in Glasgow but also the dangers it can hold and safety around the water."

Glasgow Times:

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He added: “It is vitally important that we educate our young people - until that happens we’ll still be talking about these issues for 50 years time.

“I’m sickened by this, there is no other way to put it. Vandalism of life belts costs lives, we need to address it."

Police Scotland confirmed last night they had received no reports of the incident.