Boat owners in Looe and Fowey are being urged to stay vigilant after three valuable engines were stolen from vessels in the area.
Two engines were stolen from boats moored close to Millpool playground between noon on Monday January 7 and 10.30am the following day.
Police say a Marina 5hp auxiliary outboard engine with a silver painted cover was taken from a Picton Daycruiser and a Mercury 7.5hp auxiliary outboard engine was also stolen from a Plymouth Pilot type boat moored just two vessels away.
Two nights later, offenders tampered with mooring rope of the Plymouth Pilot and damaged the hull.
In Fowey, a Yamaha 4hp engine was also stolen some time between 11am on New Year's Eve and 12.30pm on 5 January from a boat parked on a trailer at Penmarlam Boatyard.
Police are appealing for information about the thefts and are asking owners to think about boat security measures.
Police Community Support Officer Tom Barnes, based at Looe, said: "Fortunately crime such as this is rare in the area. In fact it is the first time since September 2012 that crime has occurred on the River Looe."
Mr Barnes added: "I must stress the importance of recording serial numbers. If these engines are recovered by us we can easily prove who they belong to and return stolen property."
For more information about boat security visit
http://neighbourhoodpolicing.devon-cornwall.police.uk/BCU-1558/Sector-1859/NB-1609/Pages/MarineCrime.aspx
