INFLATABLE BOAT AND OUTBOARD ENGINES STOLEN FROM TAMESIS SAILING CLUB
Tamesis Sailing Club in Trowlock Way, Teddington has reported the theft of an inflatable boat and two outboard engines, it was revealed tonight.
The incident is thought to have happened between 6pm last night and 10am this morning according to local WhatsApp reports.
But one eyewitness told Teddington Town that she saw an inflatable boat pass the riverside restaurant, The Wharf close to the pontoons at about 8pm last night.
“It seemed to be very odd at that time of night but I didn’t think anything of it until I heard about the theft earlier today,” she said.
The club said that between 6pm last night and 10am this morning, a small grey inflatable plus outboard and another outboard were taken from their premises.
Both the boat and the outboards, one of which is relatively heavy, were chained to a concrete floor, but the chain had been cut, said the Club.
The local WhatsApp post added: “So the thieves are determined and not put off by security measures. This emphasises the need for us to be as secure as we can.”
There have been other reports of thefts of equipment and fuel from two premises on the Teddington Reach and Surbiton High School Rowing Club have had fuel and fuel cans stolen from a locked store.
Another social media post said: “For info – just been messaged that Surbiton High have had fuel stolen from a locked fuel store this weekend and Tamesis have had a small inflatable plus 2 engines stolen overnight .
“Both were chained to a concrete floor! Don’t know when or what time of the day this happened but just be aware and please check boathouse doors and club doors are closed after boating.”
Matt Allchurch, Lifeboat Operations Manager, RNLI Teddington said: “We were all sorry to hear of the theft from our friends at The Tamesis Club and hope that everything is resolved soon.”
Founded in 1885, Tamesis is one of the most active and popular sailing clubs in south west London.
The clubhouse in Teddington is on the first non-tidal reach of the River Thames between Kingston Bridge and Teddington Lock.
The family friendly club provides racing for five different dinghy classes every Sunday morning throughout the year and handicap races on Thursday evenings in the summer.