MARINE police based at Burnham-on-Crouch have said the jetski donated to them by Maldon District Council (MDC) is already allowing them to tackle anti-social behaviour on the water to a degree they would not have been able to without it.

The jetski - more correctly called a personal water craft (PWC) - was officially launched on Monday, 12 July, at Burnham Marina, one week ahead of national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, which starts tomorrow (Monday, 19 July).

At the launch, police from the Essex Police Marine Unit, based in Burnham-on-Crouch, and MDC leader, Councillor Wendy Stamp, explained that there had been a significant increase in anti-social behaviour on the water since the start of the pandemic and that the hope was that the new PWC would help to tackle the issue.

In a social media post on Friday, 16 July, the Marine Unit said: "First PWC Operation Wavebreaker patrol today to Maldon on

the River Blackwater. Fourteen PWCs and 2 boats spoken to about the speed limits.

"We wouldn't have been able to engage with these people without the PWC. It's drastically increased our scope to tackle ASB in time for ASB Awareness Week."

In a separate post, they added: "We were also tasked today by HM Coastguard to a report of ASB at West Mersea. We were only able to reach the location within the harbour due to having the PWC. Our launch wouldn't have made it in to the shallow water."

And then yesterday (Saturday, 17 July), Marine Police said in a further post: "Day 2 - River Colne. Unfortunately the bylaws were being ignored at Brightlingsea and Point Clear.

"Twelve warnings, three Community Protection Warnings and one reported for court.

"We want everyone to be able to enjoy our lovely coast safely."

The video above shows clips of the new PWC on the water and statements from senior figures at the launch.