Officers from the Environment Agency, Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey Police conducted a joint enforcement operation around Hurst Park in Molesey today.
Smaller sunken and abandoned boats were removed from the river.
Additionally, trespass notices were served, fly-tipping enforcement notices served, tree works undertaken, warnings issued to remove possessions and registrations checked.
Advice and guidance on boat registration, oil and waste disposal and homelessness were also provided to the boat dwellers present on their vessels this morning.
Elmbridge Borough Council will follow up with waste disposal in the coming days.
The operation was led by the Environment Agency and Elmbridge Borough Council with support from Surrey Police and Surrey County Council and follows on from a successful river enforcement operation in September.
Councillor Simon Waugh, Deputy Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council:
“We fully appreciate the disturbance caused to our residents by unauthorised moorings along this stretch of the River Thames. We recently held a public meeting in Molesey, and we heard directly from those impacted residents. We said we would continue to do all we can, in collaboration, with the Environment Agency, to act to ensure our rivers are used safely and legally and today’s action shows that commitment.
“This operation follows similar action in September and October last year. Thank you to the Environment Agency, Surrey Police, and Surrey County Council for their support with this action.”
