I think for me it's not so much the taking of the stuff by a few locals, but it's the hords of maggots driving down from all over the country like a swarm of leaches to join in the free for all, and then (because they're NOT local and couldn't give a stuff about the beach or damaging the environment,) they're strewing un-wanted or more to the point un-valuable goods all over the beach and just making a great big mess without giving a rats a*se about the mess they're creating. They certainly won't be helping with the clear-up if help was requested by the clean up folks.
Another thing is also the taking personal posessions element .......that's wrong, very wrong.
And breaking open containers to get to goods, not just picking up up whats been washed up, but breaking the seals on the containers to get inside. I think the whole thing is demeaning and if they could see themselves they may get a ***** of conscience..............but I doubt it. Don't get me wrong I'd pick up something if I was out for a walk and found something washed up on the beach. When I was a kid I dragged out a fishing rod and reel from the pier when I was fishing and I kept it. It was in great condition and after a wash off with some freash water it was as good as new. Someone had obviously dropped it in off the end of the pier, maybe a kid or someone not paying attention and kicked it in, whatever. But the free for all we're seeing down in Devon is something else.
On a positive note there are good people helping out though, and it's great to see people helping clean off the sea birds and wildlife and giving them the best chance they can......................so folks ain't all bad