Joint enforcement operation on unauthorised moorings

Officers from the Environment Agency, Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey Police have conducted a joint enforcement operation along the River Thames in Elmbridge around Hurst Park in Molesey today, Monday 24 March. 

The operation removed smaller sunken and abandoned boats from the river. Additionally, trespass notices were served, fly-tipping enforcement notices served, tree works undertaken, warnings issued to remove possessions, and registrations checked, in a joint operation to ensure legal and respectful use of the river.  

Advice and guidance on boat registration, oil and waste disposal and homelessness were also provided to the boat dwellers present on their vessels this morning.  

Elmbridge Borough Council will follow up with waste disposal in the coming days. 

This operation was led by the Environment Agency and Elmbridge Borough Council with support from Surrey Police and Surrey County Council and follows a successful river enforcement operation in September 2024. 

Councillor Simon Waugh, Deputy Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council: 

“We fully appreciate the disturbance caused to our residents by unauthorised moorings along this stretch of the River Thames. We recently held a public meeting in Molesey and we heard directly from those impacted residents. We said we would continue to do all we can, in collaboration, with the Environment Agency, to act to ensure our rivers are used safely and legally and today’s action shows that commitment. 

“This operation follows similar action in September and October last year. Thank you to the Environment Agency, Surrey Police, and Surrey County Council for their support with this action.”