Stithians Lake Watersports Centre has become the latest member to sign up to the police Boat Watch scheme.

It is after more than £13,000 worth of engines were stolen from the centre – part of the South West Lakes Trust – in October last year.

Following the theft PCSO Julia Berry from Helston Police Station visited the centre to see how she could support them and discussed the benefits of joining a local Boat Watch scheme.

This is a community scheme that runs in a similar way to Neighbourhood Watch schemes, to prevent and detect crime and reduce the fear of crime.

Dedicated coordinators in each area have a direct link to their local police team and share information with them about any suspicious activity.

PCSO Berry said: “A theft of this size obviously has an enormous impact on a charity like the South West Lakes Trust and we wanted to try and minimise the chances of any further losses. I felt that the best way we could help would be to set up a partnership and use the Boat Watch scheme which has already proved successful in reducing marine crime.”

Devon and Cornwall Police support such schemes by providing equipment such as specialist marine marking kits, which enable boat owners to invisibly mark their equipment with unique microdots that will identify the item should it be stolen and recovered somewhere else. Outboard engine covers are also provided, which protect the engine and promote the fact that equipment is marked.

Following PCSO Berry’s visit the trust were convinced that they should join Boat Watch and decided to involve their other watersports centres at the same time.

They have invested over £1,000 in engine covers and marking kits for Stithians, as well as for Roadford, Siblyback and Tamar lakes in Devon and Wimbleball Lake in Somerset.

Matt Loughlin, chief instructor at Stithians Lake Watersports Centre, said: “With help from Devon and Cornwall Police we now feel more safe and secure and everyone can look forward to a full summer programme of watersports at Stithians Lake.”