BOAT owners are being warned to secure their boats and equipment as they get back on the water this spring.

Inspector Alan Ewart, of the Dorset Police marine section, said the big surge in the number of boats out at this time of year as the weather improves could be an attraction to opportunist thieves.

He said: “It’s very often that at this time of year with people getting back on the water, with the boats having been secure for the course of the winter, they can easily fall out of good habits picked up during the boating season.

“Thieves are attracted to all kinds of things on boats and it’s important for people to take the security of their boat as seriously as they would their own home.”

The marine section will be out on patrol on the waterways of Dorset over the Easter weekend, from Friday, April 10, to Monday, April 13, when many boat owners are expected to take advantage of the long weekend and lighter evenings and get back on the water.

Insp Ewart said: “We’re asking people to be extra vigilant of their own boats and also their neighbours’ boats.

“Boat theft in the county is historically actually quite low despite us having an enormous marine community.

“What we tend to find is in the autumn period when the dark nights start to come in, there tends to be a big blip in marine crime.

“When people put their boats back in the water in the spring they tend to forget little things about securing their outboards and making sure handheld GPS systems are locked away.”

He added: “Boat owners should always make sure their craft and equipment are kept safe by taking simple steps such as using good quality locks, making sure they don’t leave items unattended and making sure all unused items like ropes are kept out of sight.”