AN alarming spike in marine crime has been reported by local police, with more than ten thefts occurring in Salcombe and throughout the estuary within the last month.

Four dinghies and their outboard motors were stolen from Whitestrand pontoon on Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17.

And on Sunday, June 19, seven outboards and marine items were stolen from across the Kingsbridge and Salcombe estuary, including Bowcombe Bridge and in Salcombe.

In the early hours of Monday, July 11, three outboard motors and two fuel cans were stolen from the slipway at Whitestrand, and two outboard motors were stolen from Ditch End.

A transit van has been seen in the area behaving suspiciously, and if anyone has any information on this, they are urged to give the police a call.

Police are now reviewing CCTV footage in the hope of shedding some light on the crimes.

The police have stepped up security patrols in the area, and at last week’s Salcombe Town Council meeting, PCSO Dave Gibson assured the council that local police will be ‘putting more resources into this.’