About Môn-SAR
At a glance...
- Operational since 2018
- 26 operational team members
- Fleet of 3 vehicles
- Bilingual service (Welsh and English)
- Registered charity (number: 1162558)
Môn-SAR is Anglesey's own search and rescue team, here to support our local community and visitors on the island.
We are an operational member team of Lowland Rescue and the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association.
Prior to the formation of Môn-SAR, operations on Anglesey were conducted by Mountain Rescue teams in Snowdonia. These teams faced increasing demand which fed into the formation of Môn-SAR, who now operate across the inland areas of Anglesey and North Gwynedd, up to 600m. Môn-SAR became an operational team in 2018.
Môn-SAR are tasked by North Wales police to support various incidents including high-risk missing person searches, ambulance casualty extractions, and access to complex terrain. We conduct our own operations and supplement other nearby SAR agencies such as Coastguard, neighbouring mountain rescue teams, and SARDA Wales search dogs.
Local Knowledge
Our volunteers live and work on Anglesey and in Gywnedd, meaning we know the island and its rugged terrain incredibly well. Whether searching for missing people, or located injured visitors, our lived experience of the area supports the careful planning and conduct of our operations.
In addition to assisting North Wales Police with missing person searches, we also assist the Welsh Ambulance Service with stretcher evacuations over complex ground where the crews need support. In our capacity as first responders, we attend callouts to injured people to assess their injuries and escort them to safety. We train weekly to adapt to the varied nature of our callouts, always striving to improve.
Operational since 2018
Our primary role is supporting North Wales Police to search for vulnerable missing people. Our volunteers receive detailed training in search techniques, characteristics of missing people, and roles during a search operation.
Beyond that, our team has a steep-ground rescue and water rescue capability, broadening our service. our volunteers are encouraged to take part in the National Navigation Award Scheme, training with the Coastguard helicopters, and joint training events with neighbouring teams.
With awareness of our service expanding, we eagerly anticipate an increasing number of callouts. With a healthy mass of operational members, we are able to rapidly deploy teams and fulfil our 24/7, 365 availability.