Vandalised life ring or ring buoy lying on a Dundee footpath instead of its safety holder, Scotland, UK.

Vandalised life ring or ring buoy lying on a Dundee footpath instead of being secured in its emergency safety holder, Scotland, UK. The orange-and-white flotation ring has been removed from its normal mounting and left on the ground beside a narrow pedestrian route bounded by stone walls. Life rings are installed beside waterways, harbours and other potentially hazardous waterside locations so that they can be thrown quickly to somebody in danger of drowning. Removing or damaging this equipment can leave an emergency location without an immediately available rescue aid. The photograph is suitable for editorial coverage of vandalism, antisocial behaviour, missing lifesaving equipment, water safety, drowning prevention, public safety, emergency infrastructure, local authority maintenance, community responsibility, risk management and the misuse of safety equipment. The conspicuous orange ring lying on the grey pavement creates a simple but powerful visual representation of essential public equipment being left unavailable for its intended purpose, making the image useful for campaigns and news stories concerning waterways and public safety.