Enforcement officers destroy illegally moored boats as part of riverside clampdown

Kingston Council’s enforcement officers this week removed and destroyed two illegally moored boats and also removed unauthorised structures on the riverside as part of a wider joint initiative between a range of public bodies.

In addition to Kingston, the organisations involved in the Operation Riverside day of actiuon were:

• Kingston Council;
• Richmond Council;
• Elmbridge Council;
• Spelthorne Council;
• the Metropolitan Police;
• Surrey Police; and
• The Environment Agency.

Cllr David Cunningham, Lead Member for Environment and Transport at Kingston, said: “Yesterday’s action sends out a very clear message to people who illegally moor their boats along this stretch of the river - you are not welcome here. This action is just the beginning - our enforcement officers will continue to patrol the riverside and take quick, decisive action where appropriate.

“The results of our All in One borough survey showed that residents and visitors value our green spaces and riverside highly. We intend to keep these spaces clean and safe, for the enjoyment of all. Illegally moored boats are a menace and do not have a place in our borough and I am grateful for the support of the Police and the Environment Agency in helping us stamp out this problem.”

Nick McKie-Smith, Waterways Enforcement Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “This joint venture shows that we are serious in cracking down on unauthorised mooring and that, together, we are evicting those who don’t respect our waterways and the borough of Kingston.”