Stolen dinghy spars - Chertsey area 9 April

[KeithH]

Our dinghy sailing club - Littleton Lake Sailing Club, near Chertsey, Surrey, was visited by thieves early on Saturday morning 9th April. They stole a large quantity of masts, & booms mainly from Lasers, Toppers, Solos and Comets. We suspect that they were stolen for *** scrap value, but just in case, please be aware that some may make it to a boat jumble.

I am not sure about quantities at the moment, but I would guess that around 30 boats lost their spars, so replacement value is around £10, but scrap value will be almost nothing. Most were not insured for theft. And a number where boats owned by various organisations, like schools, who will struggle to find the cash for replacements - a new set of laser spares is around £400.

We would be very interested to hear if other SC's have been visited, and would urge the sailing community to be aware of these contemptible people.

Also, the speed of the raid was indicated by the fact that some spars were left if tied down in some way - they appeared to go on to the next boat in that case. However many covers were ripped off to see if there was anything worth nicking. So if you cannot remove the spars, it might be worth locking them with some steel rigging type wire.

Ironically, we have just had new security gates installed - but these folks just cut a hole in the chain link fence to shift the masts. What can we do to stop them?

Thanks

 

[KeithH]

oops The replacement value should read £10k, not £10 (which is probably the sort of cash they might get for scrap).

 

[stevebrassett]

You'd be surprised. According to an article in today's Times, scrap aluminium is worth around £1000 per ton. Street signs are getting nicked for scrap.

 

[snowleopard]

laser gear has been a primme target for thieves for years. it is expensive, anonymous and interchangeable with 1000s of other boats. it is also easily removed. it's more common for rudders, tillers & dagger boards to go but it's pretty likely these were for re-sale.

the insurers of my laser insist that all the spars & foils should be engraved with a postcode.

meanwhile, if anyone spots quantities of laser/topper spars on offer at a jumble they should tell the police. i presume you have reported it?

 

[KeithH]

Thanks - yes police were informed. If you have any information (like seeing a stack of Laser masts for sale), Staines Police are involved. You can PM me for further details.

 

[Gunfleet]

If Staines police are involved, do not hold your breath. I know of a woman who found some of the proceeds of a burglary from her own house abandoned at the side of the A30. She rang above police to tell them she would stand by the gear until they got a fingerprint officer there and was told there was no one available. A few minutes later she rang them she was bringing the property to them only to be asked... 'are you using a handsfree kit?' She was not amused. And her husband was driving.

 

[snowleopard]

They probably are'nt stupid enough to sell them locally. There's a jumble in our area on Sunday so I'll have a look round. Do you know if they had any form of identification on them?