A RESCUE group is moving its main lifeboat – to stop it being wrecked by intruders.

Isolated buildings used by Solent Rescue have repeatedly been targeted by burglars and vandals, resulting in a series of repair bills.

In the latest raid its boatshed was ransacked and equipment damaged and stolen.

Solent Rescue’s lifeboat is currently being overhauled at Hythe Marina Village so escaped damage.

The £25,000 craft is based at Lepe but will now be kept at Calshot or Buckler’s Hard to prevent future raids.

Spokesman Cameron Critchfield denied that the move would hamper the group’s ability to save lives in the Solent. But he warned it meant the organisation might have to spend £5,000 on new equipment, and at least £1,000 a year in mooring fees and extra fuel.

Solent Rescue, which operates between March and October, is based in a seafront building at Lepe Country Park.

In the latest break-in, thieves stole batteries and other items as well as damaging the roof and doors and draining fuel worth £300. The bill is expected to be at least £1,500.

Mr Critchfield said: “Until further notice we’re going to have to look at keeping our main lifeboat off site. We just can’t afford to have our principal asset in such a vulnerable location.”

Senior coxswain Damien Eagan said the organisation suffered at least three or four break-ins a year.

He added: “The latest one is definitely one of the worst, certainly in terms of damage.”

Police are investigating the incident.