Thieves stop rescue boat

THIEVES have stopped the use of a rescue boat on the Avon, by stealing its outboard engine.

The specialist boat that is used to rescue people trapped in the Avon floods around Evesham is now unusable being without its engine, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Out of action

The rescue boat which was purchased with the help of a grant from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is used by the South Worcester Flood Rescue, but could be out of action for weeks whilst another Yamaha replacement engine and repairs are undertaken.

It was moored at Sankey Marine in the town in preparation for any emergency, and launched last year at a cost of £30,000. It was not the only boat that lost its engine as the thieves stripped four boats of their engines in a night raid.

Similar raid

This follows a similar raid at Strensham Marina at Defford where an outboard motor and trailer were stolen together with other boating equipment to the value of £10,000.