Vital lifesaving equipment is still being stolen along Oxford's waterways.

Lifebelts, which could make the difference between life and death in an emergency, are going missing from safety points in the city centre despite monthly checks by council officers.

Last year, Oxford City Council launched a review of life-saving equipment after an Oxford Mail survey revealed 14 out of 15 lifebelts were missing along the Thames towpath between Folly Bridge and Donnington Bridge.

In a bid to improve river safety, last summer the council installed 20 new lifebelts, which were designed to be more difficult to vandalise.

The new lifeboat cases, costing £100 each, are protected by a hinged glass cover and can be thrown further than conventional lifebelts.

But recently one lifebelt has disappeared from the south side of Botley Road, and another belt was found missing on Tuesday night in Hythe Bridge Street by the city councillor for West Oxford, Susanna Pressel.

She said: "This is particularly alarming as it's located near Upper Fisher Row where people have fallen into the canal before.

"It really is a problem and I'm extremely concerned that they are continuing to be vandalised. "We really do need people to help us by telling the council when these lifebelts go missing."

Pc Paul Phillips, Oxford city centre area beat officer, condemned the removal of the lifebelts.

He said: "With the water at such a high level and the river running as fast as it is, stealing the lifebelts is an extremely silly, dangerous and thoughtless thing to do.

"We have already had several deaths in Oxford after people have fallen into the river.

"Anyone caught stealing the lifebelts will be treated very seriously. I have already contacted the city council to have the lifebelts replaced, but it saddens me that we still have people in our community who think that saving a life is something to be joked about."

City council spokesman David Penney said monthly checks were being carried out to keep a close watch on the availability of lifebelts.

He said: "We rely on the public reporting such incidents. I would urge them to phone 01865 725912 if they see a lifebelt missing."