THIEVES have stolen lifesaving equipment from the RNLI's store.
The gear - including a quad bike and an engine - was taken from the charity's storage garage in Sandbanks.
The cost to replace the vital lifesaving equipment is £10,000.
RNLI divisional lifeguard manager Barry Heathfield said: "This is a devastating thing to have happened at the start of the season.
"I find it extremely upsetting to think that anyone is capable of stealing lifesaving equipment from a charity.
"These pieces of equipment are used to make the area safer for everyone who visits."
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