A NORTHERN Ireland council has become stoney faced over beach visitors pilfering pebbles from the shoreline. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is taking the matter so seriously that they have also urged visitors to 'shop' anyone they see removing pebbles and stones claiming the practice is illegal.
The shoreline can be a treasure trove for beachcombers and it's only natural when walking along the water's edge to pick up a stone, toss it into the sea or pop into our pocket as a little keepsake of our visit to the coast.
But the local authority, which has frowned on the seemingly harmless pastime, is appealing for an end to the practice - in a bid to coastline erosion.
Marine scientists say the removal of pebbles can increase the risk of flooding and worsen coastal erosion.
DUP mayor Billy Ashe said removing pebbles would lead to lasting damage along the north's coastlines.
"Mid and East Antrim Borough has a beautiful coastline and we want to preserve it," he said.
"Removal of pebbles or sand on a large scale could result in significant long term, even irreparable damage to the coastal profile and could seriously undermine the land infrastructure."
In England, there have been cases of gardeners being prosecuted for taking large rocks from local beaches.
Some councils have even set up secret cameras and undercover officers to try and catch anyone taking away stones.
Members of the public are being asked to report sightings of anyone removing pebbles or sand in large quantities from anywhere along the coastline to Environmental Health.
