WAR on water-borne crime has been declared in Christchurch Harbour, with volunteers joining forces with police and council patrols boats to mount operations against marine vandals and thieves.

The crackdown is spearheaded by the Christchurch Harbour Watch voluntary group, formed among harbour users in the wake of increasing levels of damage and theft from moored boats and reports of excessive speed on the water, particularly by rigid inflatables and other powered vessels.

The group put pressure on the council and the police, and were given strong support by Christchurch Sailing Club, a number of whose members have been victims of crimes.

Poole Police marine unit, which has taken over responsibility for Christchurch Harbour, makes frequent unscheduled patrols and is also mounting saturation operations on the water and surrounding shoreline involving officers and patrol boats with volunteers from Christchurch Harbour Watch.

Already the number of reported incidents this season has dropped and several cautions for speeding have been issued.

Reports on further action against alleged offenders are also pending.

A Harbour Watch spokesman said: "Previously, patrols were often infrequent and on very much an ad hoc basis.

"Since then the patrols by the police, borough council and sailing club have been dramatically increased."

"They are no longer run at predictable times but are being mounted randomly, both day and night.

"This means habitual offenders are more likely to be caught. They are no longer able to exploit the rigid timetable, carrying out their misdeeds when they knew there would be no one to apprehend them."

And he warned: "Let the potential offenders beware. With the holiday season and fine summer evenings now with us the various organisation are making sure they have an even higher, although irregular, profile."

First published: August 12