Police are warning boat owners on the north Norfolk coast to remain vigilant after a spate of outboard engine thefts in the last few days.

Some time between last Thursday and Tuesday this week thieves stole an engine from a boat moored in Blakeney Quay.

Two outboard engines were taken from safety boats parked in the Canser car park at The Quay, Blakeney some time between Sunday and Tuesday.

And a boat which was left on the sand at Gun Barrel Creek, Wells, on Tuesday was also targeted.

At around 7.45pm the boat was stolen and later found abandoned at Sluice Creek with the outboard engine and oars missing.

Shortly after the oars were found on the marsh and the outboard engine was recovered 300 metres away from the boat which had been hidden in vegetation.

Two men and a woman, all in their early 20s, were stranded for a short time but rescued by a passing boat.

The group did not wish to be named for fear of reprisals.

A friend said: 'I've been boating for 55 years and I've never been concerned about leaving a boat in a place like this.

'This is a very popular area, and has always been a safe and beautiful environment. For yobs to start stealing boats makes me feel violated.'

He added: 'My friends were never in any real danger, but if it had been darker, if they were less experienced and if they had not been able to get a phone signal and help from passing boaters, it could have been a different story.'

Police community support officer Phil Berkeley from Wells Safer Neighbourhood Team said: 'Over the summer period, we historically experience an increase in opportunist thefts of outboard motors.

'When leaving your boat unattended please consider how much kit you are leaving on board, usually worth hundreds and even thousands of pounds, which is potentially an easy opportunity for thieves.

'We are urging boat owners to remove the boat engine when not in use or if that is not possible to replace the cowling with a security engine cover available from police.

'From �15 boat owners can help prevent the theft of an item which would cost them �200 to replace.

'And an engine with a police-branded cover is of no use to a thief – who would need to go to the extra effort and cost of paying for a replacement before off-loading it'.

Police are also advising boat owners to remove anything valuable from the boat when not in use, keep a list of all the serial numbers on valuables and property mark them with your home postcode.

Anyone with information about the thefts or who would like to order a security cover should contact Wells Police on 0845 456 4567 or e-mail sntwells@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.