‘Lives put in danger’ and river drained in Cambridgeshire vandalism incidents

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said the organisation is ‘disgusted’ with the level of vandalism

Lives have been put “in danger” following a rise in vandalism this summer, including at locations along the River Nene. The Environment Agency said it is “disgusted” by the level of vandalism.

The agency has urged the public to stop tampering with sluices, locks, and other water control structures. A spokesperson said: “Environment Agency water control structures suffer repeated vandalism which puts lives at risk and worsens drought impacts.”

According to the Environment Agency, Ashton Lock, near Oundle, has been “one of the worst-hit sites”. Vandals damaged its winding wheel, which meant it had to be removed for repairs.

A temporary fix was fitted, then stolen. The lock’s guillotine gate, which controls water flow, was then tampered with too, draining water needed for wildlife and navigation.

The spokesperson added: “Damage to water infrastructure is making it harder to manage already low water levels and is putting people at risk. Tampering lowers water levels, disrupts navigation, harms wildlife and habitats, and creates serious safety hazards.”

In a separate incident at the same lock, people took a life buoy and its rope from a safety station, used the rope to tie open the lock’s doors, then wound up the guillotine gate, draining water upstream. This has happened repeatedly and has been reported to the police, the Environment Agency revealed.

Elsewhere, people have tried to break into control panel boxes, climbed on guillotine gates, and jumped into locks where there are “hidden hazards due to the infrastructure, putting themselves at serious risk”, according to the agency.

In a statement, the Environment Agency said: “A common problem on the River Nene is people manually winding up lock paddles which then drain the stretch of river above. The worst-affected stretch is between Upper and Lower Barnwell locks, home to Oundle Marina, where some residents live aboard their boats.

“Water levels there drop quickly and, during drought, can take a long time to recover. People have also been reported climbing onto or breaking into weed-cutting boats left on the riverbank during maintenance.”

Ben Thornely, Area Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “We are disgusted with the level of vandalism we are experiencing at our vital water control structures. This puts lives in danger and has big implications for wildlife and navigation during drought. If you witness vandalism or antisocial behaviour at our assets please report it to the police and to us on 0800 807060.

“The Environment Agency is taking action to protect its infrastructure, including placing volunteers at Great Ouse sites to discourage vandals, having CCTV at some locations with some linked to council control rooms with speakers, plus regular and additional safety inspections and more.”

Other locations affected by waterways vandalism include:

• Northampton Town Lock;
• Whiston Lock;
• Billing Lock;
• Upper and Lower Wellingborough Locks;
• Irthlingborough Lock;
• Denford Lock;
• Nine Arches Mooring;
• Lower Barnwell Lock;
• Elton Lock
• Alwalton Lock.