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Protect Your Outboard Engines In Suffolk Coastal
East of England
Friday 30 April 2010
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East of England
Friday 30 April 2010
Print This Article
Owners of boats with outboard engines are being urged to protect their property - and being offered the opportunity to purchase a new security device at a reduced rate, thanks to money from Suffolk Police Authority Partnership Fund.
The new product is an outboard motor cover, previously launched by Essex Police, which replaces the existing cowling of the engine to deter thieves from stealing the motor. The new Suffolk covers bear the Constabulary logo and the ‘Taking pride in keeping Suffolk safe’ motto on them and have been introduced as part of the local Marine Watch scheme.
Felixstowe district Inspector Steve Gallant, who secured £800 funding from the Police Authority to allow the outboard motor covers to be subsidised and made available at a reduced rate, said he hoped local boat owners would take advantage of the offer.
“In the past there have been a number of thefts of outboard engines from boats moored in the district and this initiative is aimed at reducing this type of crime.
“The concept is to reduce the attractiveness of your outboard to a thief by devaluing it by removing the cowling. It is likely to cost at least £200 to replace the cowling depending on the size of your engine. The result will be that it is less likely to be stolen, and even if it is, we will have a better chance of a conviction. Once the criminal has begun trying to source a new cowling, an evidence trail will develop.
“The simple locking point is designed to help reduce casual vandalism and the chances of it being damaged or lost due to severe weather conditions.”
There are three sizes of cover available – extra small, which is suitable for dinghies, at £14 each, small (up to 8hp) at £14.25 each and large (up to 40hp) at £15 each – from Felixstowe police station. These cannot be sent out so must be picked up from the front desk of the police station in High Road West. They will be sold on a first-come-first served basis at this half-price rate, subject to availability, but will be available at the full price after this on request.
The cover is designed to be a cost-effective way of reducing the chances of the engine being stolen.
Police advise that you overtly and permanently mark the cowling with your name, address or vessel details and take it home with you when you are not using the boat.
The cover is then slipped on over the engine and secured with a pull tight rope and then further secured with an adjusting strap and buckle along with a facility to lock the strap on with a padlock. The engine cannot be used with the replacement cover in place. The cover has ventilation ports to allow moisture to disperse.
The new product is an outboard motor cover, previously launched by Essex Police, which replaces the existing cowling of the engine to deter thieves from stealing the motor. The new Suffolk covers bear the Constabulary logo and the ‘Taking pride in keeping Suffolk safe’ motto on them and have been introduced as part of the local Marine Watch scheme.
Felixstowe district Inspector Steve Gallant, who secured £800 funding from the Police Authority to allow the outboard motor covers to be subsidised and made available at a reduced rate, said he hoped local boat owners would take advantage of the offer.
“In the past there have been a number of thefts of outboard engines from boats moored in the district and this initiative is aimed at reducing this type of crime.
“The concept is to reduce the attractiveness of your outboard to a thief by devaluing it by removing the cowling. It is likely to cost at least £200 to replace the cowling depending on the size of your engine. The result will be that it is less likely to be stolen, and even if it is, we will have a better chance of a conviction. Once the criminal has begun trying to source a new cowling, an evidence trail will develop.
“The simple locking point is designed to help reduce casual vandalism and the chances of it being damaged or lost due to severe weather conditions.”
There are three sizes of cover available – extra small, which is suitable for dinghies, at £14 each, small (up to 8hp) at £14.25 each and large (up to 40hp) at £15 each – from Felixstowe police station. These cannot be sent out so must be picked up from the front desk of the police station in High Road West. They will be sold on a first-come-first served basis at this half-price rate, subject to availability, but will be available at the full price after this on request.
The cover is designed to be a cost-effective way of reducing the chances of the engine being stolen.
Police advise that you overtly and permanently mark the cowling with your name, address or vessel details and take it home with you when you are not using the boat.
The cover is then slipped on over the engine and secured with a pull tight rope and then further secured with an adjusting strap and buckle along with a facility to lock the strap on with a padlock. The engine cannot be used with the replacement cover in place. The cover has ventilation ports to allow moisture to disperse.
