VANDALS in Shoebury are putting lives at risk by turning on emergency fire hydrants.

Fire crews have been called out twice in the last week to attend incidents where hydrants have been turned on for people to play in to cool off in the warm weather.

Senior fire service managers have slammed the young vandals responsible.

Derek Hopkins, Essex County Fire Rescue Service water supplies manager, said: “Turning these hydrants on is completely mindless, people do it so they can play in the water which comes out of them, but these hydrants have not been put there for entertainment, they are an important emergency resource.

“Our crews rely on them to tackle fires and if they are damaged by this kind of activity there is a possibility that they will not be available in an emergency.”

Crews were called to Peel Crescent in Shoebury on Sunday to turn off a fire hydrant, the second time in a week.