BOAT owners and fishermen have been put on red alert by police after a series of marine related thefts in the Lyme Regis and Charmouth area.

Following the theft of two boats, one from Lyme and one from Charmouth, outboard engines and fuel, more cameras will be put in the harbour area.

A number of vessels have also been tampered with.

All of the incidents have happened over the past few weeks and there have also been a number of thefts from the Axmouth and Seaton port, leading police to believe they are linked.

The Lyme Regis Safer Neighbourhood team has issued advice to boat owners, and PCSO John Burton said it was important for boat owners to take the security of their boat as seriously as their own home.

Mr Burton said: "Thieves are attracted to all kinds of marine paraphernalia, so make sure all valuables are locked up securely with good quality stainless steel hasp and staples and secure all loose equipment such as anchors and oars with wire rope or chains and locks.

"Engrave your boat name, postcode and house number on all valuable items. If you have to leave your outboard with the vessel make sure it is clearly marked as being your property and consider alarming the vessel.

"Where practical moor the vessel in easy sight of good CCTV coverage. Please check with whoever runs and maintains your mooring or boat park that it has a CCTV system covering your mooring space."

Grahame Forshaw, Lyme Regis harbour master, said he planned to step up security in the wake of the thefts.

Mr Forshaw said: "We do have CCTV but on the night in question it was incredibly dark and even though they are infrared, they do need a bit of ambient light but we will be buying new cameras to increase security.

"These incidents are a sign of the times, and the outboard engines can be taken off very quickly and quietly. Sadly, we need people to take more action in protecting their own boats and outboard engines as well with an outboard engine lock.

He added: "It has left people feeling devastated and traumatised. Some guys had looked forward to a whole day of fishing and when they got here they couldn't go, they were devastated."