Shire of Augusta-Margaret River rangers will give thieves who stole 10 shark warning signs from beaches this summer a reprieve if they hand them back before the end of the month.

The signs, valued at $60 each, were probably stolen to decorate homes, Shire ranger Gavin Jennion said.

“The signs are property of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and it is an offence to take them,” he said.

“The removal of the signs also puts community members at risk. They form an essential part of our shark warning system.”

Mr Jennion said after March 1, the police would be called in to track the thieves down with a “zero tolerance approach,” he said.

“We will be reporting the stolen signs to police and asking them to press charges against anyone caught stealing.”