TEIGNBRIDGE Council's rescue boat at Dawlish Warren has been rendered lifeless after thieves made off with the £3,000 outboard motor on Tuesday of last week, The boat is the only one of its kind to which council resort staff and lifeguards have access to at the beach. 'The boat is used every season,' said Julie Owen, assistant resort officer. 'The theft is a real blow to the team, not only in terms of morale, but also because it leaves us dangerously ill-equipped until the replacement engine arrives. 'The police are doing all they can to investigate, but we are all shocked that anyone could willingly choose to damage a piece of equipment that has meant the difference between life and death on a significant number of occasions. We hope they identify the perpetrators and would appeal to anyone who may know of anything remotely connected with the crime to inform the police immediately.' The theft of the outboard occurred from the boat room at Dawlish Warren during the night of Tuesday, June 6. Although the boat was locked away, thieves removed the padlock, opened the garage, unbolted the engine and then pushed the boat back inside and closed the garage door. Anyone with information should contact the police on 08452 777444 quoting crime ref number JG 06 1255.
