Below is an extract from an email sent around the interclubs by the Police Marine Unit. I have only extracted the part relevant to the Thames but if anybody wants to see the whole email please let me know.
Steve Hill
Dear Marine Stakeholders,
I am sure you will agree it has been an interesting year so far, from COVID to the subsequent significant increase in river users throughout the county. The purpose of this email to you all is to give you a brief overview and update on our activities as a Marine Unit for the past 3 months.
We hope most of you will have seen more of our officers out and about either on the shore or out on water throughout the last 3 months. We have been endeavoring to re-focus our efforts towards our community engagement and whilst it is still a work in progress, we have achieved a number of success’ so far, which are highlighted below. We have given each area of the county a dedicated officer to focus on the marine issues in your particular area, if you are not aware of them already, they are as follows ;
PC1925 Ian Newling – River Thames: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PC2609 Dawn Wood - Rivers Crouch & Roach: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PC1390 Daren Chambers-Rivers Blackwater & Colne: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PC72598 John Perry-River Stour/Harwich & Clacton Northwards : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We also have a generic email account which all of our officers check when they come on duty, to ensure we deal with as many enquiries as possible as soon as possible ; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I hope you will make use of these officers and keep them informed of issues in your area. Of course, in an emergency please still use 999 for immediate assistance.
River Thames ;
We have carried out two joint operations with Southend Council, Castle Point Council, local Policing teams, GLAA, IFCA, Food standards Agency and Justice and Care charity to deal with illegal shellfish harvesting, modern slavery, food/environmental health and conservation. Future operations are planned and we have a number of persons awaiting prosecution as a result
There has been a sharp increase of reports around Anti-social behaviour with PWC’s. We have been paying additional attention to the slipways along the coastline and working with the council to improve safety and review legislation around water craft use on the foreshore. We currently have an agreement with all parties responsible for monitoring these slipways to record every person launching a vessel and this has led to a number of successful prosecutions and further prosecutions are pending.
We are aware of a number Anti Social behaviour reports in Leigh, especially Bell wharf, of beach parties and people climbing over boats on swinging moorings and causing damage. We are working with local Community Policing teams to help increase patrols in the area.
There have been recent reports of immigrants landing at East beach which we have investigated and confirmed with Border Force this usual activity from a visiting yacht and nothing to be concerned about. However, please report any sightings of suspicious activity whether immigration or crime related to Border Force or Police immediately, if necessary via 999 again.
We have noticed from Coastguard reports that there has been a significant increase of people being cut off by the tide especially from visitors to the town and around the mulberry Harbour. Please help to assist the emergency services by ensuring all of your member/client/ colleagues are aware of tides and the dangers.
In the last week and large tender was pulled up onto the top of the slip at Two tree Island and the outboard engine stolen. As autumn/winter approaches please ensure all removable valuables be taken off of vessels and vessels secured. Please check mooring lines as a number of vessels have broken free in recent heavy weather and please be vigilant and check your boat regularly throughout the winter months report any suspicious activity to the Police.
We hope you will have found this update to be of use, it is our intention to repeat these on a 3 monthly basis. Please be assured we will work hard to provide the best possible service to you as our stakeholders and would welcome any feedback you may have.
Best Regards
APS 2858 Paul RAWSON
Essex Police Marine Unit
49-51 Station Road
Burnham on Crouch
CM0 8HF
Tel : 101 x/t 480406
Mobile 07989 693899
Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
