MORE lives could be saved if a York charity is given access to city centre emergency radios its founder has claimed.

Dave Benson started the York Rescue Boat charity last year, and said he was trying to assist rather than replace any of the emergency services, but felt access to the shared radio system would help speed up the boat crew's response and could potentially save lives.

Since the charity began patrolling the Ouse and its banks in May, they have helped prevent several people from entering the river, in some cases talking them out of jumping in, but always using their mobile phones to alert police.

Mr Benson said he believes being allowed to use more professional communication equipment could speed up their response times, and enable them to work more closely with the emergency services and City of York Council.

He said: "York Rescue Boat's patrols have been active for the past two months and have proved a great success in assisting vulnerable persons, successfully locating missing persons with mental disorders, preventing antisocial behaviour and persons from entering the river.

"This success has come from our own intelligence and second hand information from sources within the statutory authorities through unreliable methods of communication. Having the Night Safe radio that is linked to CCTV, door staff, Street Angels and NYP Officers will enable us to respond quicker and more effectively to those in most need. Whilst 999 is the primary system for emergencies and should strictly remain that way, us also receiving information over the Night Safe Radio whilst on duty could enable us to be on scene of a person in the water within seconds and not minutes which is vital to that person's survival."

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, helped start a river safety campaign following the deaths of three young people in the rivers of York last year, and said a trial period could be the way forward.

She said: "I have been supportive of Dave Benson and the Rescue Boat charity from the outset. They work he has personally put in to get the charity up and running is staggering, and it is abundantly clear that he is providing an important service in York.

"For what it is worth, as it isn’t my decision, but one for the Safer York Partnership collectively, I would give the Rescue Boat some sort of access to the radio system used in York’s city centre on a trial basis, with proper processes agreed and in place. That may be the best solution in the short term. The better communication they can have others working in the Night Time Economy, the better we can protect those vulnerable people who are at greater risk of falling in the river."

A spokeswoman for the River Safety Group, which includes City of York Council, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Yorkshire Police, the Canal and Rivers Trust, and student unions from both of York's universities, said they would "continue to work with the River Rescue Boat", and ensure "appropriate communication arrangements".

She said: "We would ask that in an emergency the public dial 999: to add another radio network which is not designed for reporting high-risk incidents could cause complications and delay an emergency response.

"Anyone who has concerns about someone at risk of falling into the river should dial 999 to alert both the police and fire and rescue services, who will contact the River Rescue Boat if they can, and it is practicable to do so, via the phone that is carried on the boat."