Thieves and vandals dampened the Burnham Week spirit after a number of crimes were reported to police.

The eight-day sailing regatta began on Saturday (August 28), but the racing and entertainments were tainted after Maldon police were called to three separate incidents in the town.

The first was a break-in at the Quay on August 27. A motor boat, named the Grey Lady, was broken into and the galley was subsequently smashed and items strewn about.

Various nautical items including 12 metres of rope, a radio, a radio phone and a pair of binoculars, were all stolen.

Anyone with information regarding this theft should contact PC Claire Harding of Burnham Marine Unit section on 01621 785961.

Two days later, on August 29, someone stole the collection box from the bar in the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

The box, in aid of Essex Air Ambulance, was taken just before 11pm and the thief made off along the sea wall.

The third incident took place on Sunday night (August 29-30) at another yacht club in the town, the Royal Burnham.

The Commodore, John Hooper, reported that somebody had untied two dinghies and the launch from the pontoon.

When he arrived on Monday morning he found the launch stuck under Ye Olde White Harte Hotel and the dinghies nowhere in sight. They were later found on the sea wall and further down the river.

Mr Hooper believes that in order for the tide to have moved the launch under the hotel, the vandals must have struck just before high tide, between 12.30 and 1am.

Pauline Wells, Joint Clubs Committee Office Manager, said: "We understand that the two yacht club incidents weren't anything to do with Burnham Week. It's just very sad."

Published Thursday September 2, 2004

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