Cameron House Marina thieves make off on stolen dinghy

Jul 10 2009 by Lorraine Waddell, Lennox Herald (main ed)

SNEAKY thieves have nicked a huge haul of property after breaking into boats berthed at Cameron House Marina.

Champagne, televisions, DVD players and an X-Box console have all been stolen in the past fortnight at the site, which houses around 200 boats.

The robbers are thought to have first struck at the site on Friday, June 26, when fishing tackle was taken, before they returned in the early hours of the following Monday.

And police have confirmed they came back again on Friday night, stealing a dinghy from the marina.

Speaking about the most recent incident, one Balloch man said: “The thieves returned again at midnight by boat and this time they were observed by a boat owner as they headed out of the River Leven and towards the marina.

“There were three men in the boat, driven by an outboard.

“As they approached, the police were informed, but the thieves abandoned the boat they arrived in and stole a dinghy tender to make their escape.

“The dinghy and outboard were found later on the banks of the Leven near the Balloch Hotel. The thieves had tried to cover their tracks by slashing the dinghy so it would sink.”

Police Communities Inspector David Andrew confirmed that officers had been called to two incidents at the marina.

He said: “We have received a complaint from a member of the public regarding the theft of a substantial amount of personal property from a boat moored at a marina outside Alexandria.

“The theft is thought to have taken place between approximately 3pm on June 28 and 10am the next day.

“Police are also continuing their enquiries after a stolen dinghy was recovered by police after being removed from the same marina on the night of July 3.

“I’d urge boat owners in the area to take care to remove items of value from their boats wherever possible and to secure all doors and hatches when leaving.

“Police have visited the marina in question and have spoken to several boat owners to offer security advice.”