BCP Council and LV= KidZone beach safety scheme returns for summer 2026

BCP Council is pleased to announce the return of its popular KidZone beach safety scheme, in partnership with LV=, to help keep children and vulnerable adults safe along Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s 15 miles of award-winning coastline and busy beaches this summer.

BCP Council is pleased to announce the return of its popular KidZone beach safety scheme, in partnership with LV=, to help keep children and vulnerable adults safe along Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s 15 miles of award-winning coastline and busy beaches this summer.

Running from 1 July to 31 August 2026, the LV= KidZone scheme provides parents and carers with added peace of mind during the busy summer season by offering a simple but effective way to reunite children and vulnerable adults with their friends and family safely and as quickly as possible.

LV=, a leading UK life and pensions mutual insurer, is once again sponsoring the popular LV= KidZone summer beach safety scheme, which is now in its 18th year. Since 2007, the team has distributed nearly one million wristbands, with 37,000 handed out last year alone, demonstrating the scheme’s ongoing popularity and importance.

As part of the scheme, free, secure wristbands are available for children. Parents and carers can write their contact details and location on the band, allowing seafront staff to quickly make contact if a loved one becomes separated.

From 1 July, BCP Council Seafront Rangers and RNLI Lifeguards will be supporting the scheme throughout the summer by handing out wristbands to people who request them, as well as continuing to provide advice, assistance and ensuring the safety of all beach users. Free wristbands will be available for collection from all seafront offices and RNLI lifeguard towers across the 15 miles of BCP seafront.

Dedicated LV= KidZone operatives will be on hand at Bournemouth Beach from 18 July until the end of August, supporting families during the busiest weeks of the school holidays.

Visitors to the seafront are reminded that if they see a missing child or vulnerable person, they should immediately report this to a member of the LV= KidZone team wearing a blue shirt, a BCP Council seafront ranger – typically wearing a bright pink t-shirt – or an RNLI lifeguard, so that swift action can be taken.

Free LV= KidZone wristbands will be available this summer across the following beaches:

• Bournemouth: Alum Chine through to Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne
• Christchurch: Avon, Friars Cliff, Highcliffe
• Poole: Sandbanks, Shore Road, Branksome Chine

The initiative builds on a strong and ongoing partnership between BCP Council and LV=, reinforcing a shared commitment to community safety and supporting residents and visitors to enjoy the area’s beaches with confidence.

Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations at BCP Council, said: “We’re delighted to see the return of the LV= KidZone scheme for another summer. Our beaches attract millions of visitors each year, and this simple initiative plays an important role in helping families feel safe and supported. We’re grateful to LV= for continuing to partner with us on such a valued programme.”

Samantha Preece, LV= Chief Brand and Communications Officer, added: “We’re proud to support LV= KidZone scheme once again. It helps families enjoy the coast with confidence and peace of mind. As a mutual, supporting people and communities sits at the heart of what we do. Working with BCP Council to deliver KidZone through another busy summer reflects that commitment.”

Kester Sheppard, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for East Dorset’s beaches, said: “With the spells of hot weather we’ve had already this season, the beaches have been busy and it’s so easy to lose a child in just a moment. These wristbands are so useful for our lifeguards because it’s quicker and easier to reunite children with their parents with minimal distress.”

The scheme complements the work of BCP Council’s seafront rangers and lifeguards, who are on hand throughout the summer to provide advice, assistance and ensure the safety of all beach users.

Families are encouraged to pick up a free wristband from seafront offices or RNLI lifeguard towers make use of the service whenever they visit the area’s beaches.

For more information about beach safety and facilities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, visit: LV= KidZone Bournemouth summer beach safety scheme | BCP