Plans to increase security at RNLI centre after abuse

Security improvements have been proposed at an RNLI Lifeboat Support Centre, after the charity came under fire for its role in rescuing small boat migrants.

The plans, submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, include a new entrance lobby at the site on West Quay Road in Poole.

Last month, the 202-year-old rescue charity said its volunteers had been targeted by anti-migrant protesters after two lifeboats were involved in an operation in the English Channel.

The RNLI vessels took 120 migrants, intercepted off the Isle of Wight, to Eastney in Langstone Harbour on 6 September.

The operation prompted a major anti-migrant demonstration in Portsmouth, with protesters also gathering in Poole, where the charity is based.

Some crew members involved in the rescue were targeted, with their photos and names shared in posts on social media accusing them of treason.

The abuse led to the temporary closure of Poole Old Lifeboat Museum, which said there had been several incidents of "protesters verbally assaulting our volunteers".

In planning documents submitted to BCP council, the RNLI said it needed to make the alterations to its Poole site following a number of security breaches at the building's main entrance.

It said unauthorised people had gained access to the Poole Lifeboat Support Centre by closely following staff through swipe-card controlled doors.

Under the proposals, a new external entrance lobby would built onto the north-east corner of the building.

It said this would allow three card-operated security gates to be installed beneath the main staircase, where entry into the building could be managed.

Existing entrance doors would also be altered under the plans to function as emergency escape exits.

The proposals are open for consultation until 14 October.

RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes previously said staff and volunteers had faced "unacceptable" abuse that was was "wholly unacceptable in a civilised society".

He said there had been "deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding" about the charity and condemned threats by "those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard".