Of the three buoys at the Riverside Millennium Green, in Gainford, only one remains because the other two fell foul to yobs.
Gainford Riverside Millennium Green Charitable Trust , which manages the area, says it cannot afford to replace the lifebuoys. The group adds that Durham County Council has “relinquished funding” for one of the buoys it owns.
The trust aims to provide and maintain the green for the benefit of villagers so that it can be used as an informal play area.
It can also be used as a meeting place or a venue for community events.
In recent years an orchard has been planeted for people to enjoy. The trust said the cost of continually replacing the buoys would run into hundreds of pounds – cash which it does not have.
Trust chairman Anthony Sellars said: “We are debating what to do. We can’t afford to keep replacing them. The problem with things like that is you get a few individuals who don’t understand they’re put there to save lives.
“At least one was burned and we know one was thrown in the river because it was seen downstream.”
The debris of the burned buoy melted into the pathway while the other could not be rescued because the river was too high.
Along with the removal and destruction of the buoys, vandals have ripped the covers from the boxes that contain the them.
They have also “taken pot shots” at signs around the green. Local GP Dr Mike Neville regularly takes his dog, Norman, for walks on the Millennium Green.
He said: “It is very disappointing because they are there to save lives. It is unfortunate that some people do this.”
Dr Neville added that the riverside green has lovely walks and attracts people from outside the village too, making it all the more disappointing that the vandalism had occurred.
Along with vandalism the trust said some people continue to abuse requests that no fires, horses or bicycles are permitted on the green
The trust said: “Breach of the requests spoils the riverside for others and makes for a dangerous environment for those on foot, especially the very young and old.”
Mr Sellars added that the trust would have a meeting later in January to determine a way forward.
Kevin Lough, chairman of Durham County Council's open water safety group, said: “We are extremely disappointed to learn of any damage caused to equipment put in place to help save lives.
“Maintenance and replacement of lifebuoys at this site is the responsibility of Gainford Riverside Millennium Green Charitable Trust as landowner but any deliberate act which means vital lifesaving equipment can not be used is completely unacceptable.
“It’s also very disrespectful to the hard work and dedication of everyone who continues to work so hard to raise awareness of the need to be safe around water, particularly through the award-winning Dying to be Cool campaign.
“We would appeal to anyone who witnesses people interfering with lifebuoys to contact the police on 101."
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