Marine Unit
Our Marine Unit work to keep our marine communities safe. Both on land and on the water.
Their specialist skills and equipment enable the officers to police the 562 miles of Essex waterways and coastlines. From the Thames at Crayford Ness to the River Stour in Manningtree.
Contact us
Contact the Marine Unit for information about how we can support you or for advice around preventing marine crime.
Please do not report crime here. If you would like to report a non-emergency crime or antisocial behaviour, please use our digital 101 service or call 101.
In an emergency always dial 999.
The team work closely with many marine organisations. This includes the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the National Crime Agency (NCA) Port of London Authority, Border Force and the Coastguard Agency.
Working with partners is important and helps to keep people safe. But our relationship with our marine communities is also key.
There are unique issues that affect residents and businesses along our waterways and coastlines, and it's important our officers understand these. This helps us to prevent crime, address anti-social behaviour and make sure those looking to cause harm to our communities are held accountable for their actions.
The community are our eyes and ears. They know what is normal activity and behaviour on and around rivers, waterways, marinas or moorings - and what isn't. They report things that don't seem right so we can investigate.
Of course we take a great interest in our major ports at Harwich, Tilbury and London Gateway on the Thames, as well as smaller ones like Brightlingsea. But the majority of the team’s work focuses on anyone who uses the water along our coast and rivers. This doesn’t only mean boat-owners. It includes paddle boarders, canoeists and kayakers, kite-surfers and people using personal watercraft. In fact, anyone who uses the water for leisure.
Working with Border Force
Border Force are a law enforcement command within the Home Office. They secure the UK border by carrying out immigration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK.
Through initiatives such as Project Kraken and the sharing of information and marine resources like boats, equipment and specially trained police officers, we work with Border Force colleagues to deter criminal activity on the water and respond to reports of suspicious activity.
Local councils are responsible for local byelaws. Byelaws are local laws made by a local council to address specific issues within a defined area. In this case - our rivers and waterways.
These byelaws are in place to help keep people safe. It also helps to protect the environment and help make sure everyone can enjoy use of the water. Byelaws relating to our waterways cover everything from speed limits and harbour licences, to how we behave on the water.
They are enforced by the local harbourmasters and councils. But our Marine Unit officers work with them to make sure that anyone who persistently causes a nuisance to others, or behave antisocially on the water, are prosecuted.
Breaching these byelaws can result in prosecution and fines of up to £5000.
So whether you're a regular water user or just enjoy the occasional leisure trip, you need to make sure you are familiar with the local laws in place.
Heading down to the coast or out on the water is a great way to have fun and stay active. But, if you're not careful, it's a lot easier to get into trouble in the water than you might think. Conditions can change quickly and, if you're not prepared, you can easily get caught out.
Advice and information from our marine partners
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
Crime prevention advice
Here you'll find advice and tips on how to secure your marine equipment, protect your property and prevent becoming a victim of crime.
If you would like further crime prevention advice relating to marine equipment and property, please contact our Marine Unit.
Fit good quality locks to your boat. Using surface mounted barrel locks or cheap padlocks are more likely to attract the attention of thieves.
We recommend a good quality padlock and hasp’n’staple secured by stainless steel nuts and bolts.
Outboards should be fitted with a specific outboard lock.
If you are unable to lock it – remove it.
Trailers are easy targets for thieves.
Always fit a quality trailer lock to the hitch and a wheel clamp, or better still fit a detachable hitch and remove it.
Consider having a ground anchor fitted and chain the trailer to it.
Mark your property. This deters thieves and helps us return your property if it gets stolen.
Consider using paint or a permanent marker, an ultra-violet permanent marker or Datatag.
Selecta DNA property marking kits are available specifically for marine equipment.
Vist our make your mark page to find out more.
Fitting an alarm to your boat and advertising it is a great deterrent.
Consider a sensor on the hatch with a passive infra-red beam in the main cabin.
Guard wires can be fitted which activate when cut, these are ideal to protect dinghies and outboard motors.
Sirens fitted inside the cabin will disorientate an intruder and fitting strobes to the highest point on the mast will help draw attention.
Always remove any ladders or other means of access to your boat if you are storing your boat on hardstanding.