Tuesday 31 December 2013
Media enquiry from the Guernsey Press
Media enquiry from Paul Ainsworth, Guernsey Press:
We ran a story just before Christmas about a 10-year-old boy called Reuben Hale who was left upset by his kayak being stolen from Petit Bot Bay last month.
Local residents have since got in touch saying that the kayak was in fact taken by Environment. They say a notice was put on the kayak before it was taken - giving the owner a certain amount of time to retrieve it.
Since then, the police have been in touch saying that the kayak was left outside the police station anonymously - still with the same notice from Environment attached. It has now been returned to the owner.
Could the department confirm it put the notice on the kayak?
How much time was the owner given to retrieve it? Were any others given the same notice?
Was it actually taken by Environment? If so, why was it then left anonymously at the police station?
Why was the notice issued?
Why was it taken?
Should people be warned against leaving kayaks there?
Environment Department response:
The Environment Department endeavours to keep public grassland in its management clear of vehicles, boats and associated material so that everyone may enjoy these areas. If a privately owned boat or kayak left close to a beach is evidently in regular use during the main season then generally no action is taken unless it is causing damage, nuisance or complaint. A vehicle or boat left on land in States' management outside the main season will usually be removed after a period of notice to the owner. Abandoned vehicles and boats quickly attract other waste and litter and as a consequence areas become unsightly and costly to clear.
Boat owners should contact their respective Parish moorings committee or Harbour Office to find out what facilities for storage or mooring are available. The Department would recommend that kayaks are always removed by the owner to their own property after use. Kayaks are not registered so identification of an owner is difficult. Leaving a vehicle or craft, particularly one that is relatively light and portable, on any site with public access and with no supervision is a matter for the owner's judgement and at their risk.
The Environment Department can confirm that a notice advising that the kayak at Petit Bot was considered abandoned was placed on 4 November 2013. The kayak had been noted in the same spot for some time and appeared not to have been moved during that time. There were no other kayaks in the area at the time.
The owner contacted the Department a few days later, stating that the kayak had been taken away. The Department advised that the kayak had not been removed from the site by the Department or its agents.
Until contacted by the Guernsey Press yesterday the Department was not aware that the kayak had been taken to the Police and Department staff are glad to learn that the kayak is now back with its young owner.
-ENDS-
