Plea for Spalding Water Taxi to be left in peace

The Spalding Water Taxi jetty at Springfields was hit by vandals who ripped a three-seater metal bench from its housing and threw it into the river.

Decking was wrecked as the seat was uprooted and signs were removed from the boarding point at the retail outlet centre.

Water taxi operations manager Anthony Grunwell said: "We are a 'not for profit' organisation which offers a valuable and wonderful experience to members of the public and visitors to our lovely town.

"This is a mindless act that costs so much money to repair to make the jetties both safe and pleasant for our clients."

Mr Grunwell believes it was an indiscriminate attack but is appealing for the shuttle service to be left in peace so people can go on enjoying the boat trips.

He says the repair bill will run into hundreds, and it was a three day job for water taxi pilot Dave Hensman to repair the jetty where the planks were torn up.

Mr Grunwell said a tool of some description was used to prise off the mounted signs.

"They have been rived off," he said. "You would need a tool, you would need an implement, you could not have done that with your hands."

Mr Grunwell discovered the damage after going to the jetty.

He spotted the seat underwater and said it would have been carried six metres before being thrown in.

"I was just absolutely gutted," he said.

The water taxi ferries passengers between Springfields and the town centre jetty, near Hills Department Store.

Mr Grunwell believes the Springfields jetty may have been hit late at night by people who realised no one was watching.

He said: "They have had a drink, they get bored and they want something to do."

Mr Grunwell praised police for being "very supportive".

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: "We are appealing for information after damage on the jetty at Springfields Outlet Centre, Spalding.

"Signs have been ripped off and offenders are believed to have used a screwdriver. It happened between 5pm on Monday, June 11 and 9am on Tuesday, June 12.

"The service is very helpful for the local community, and our PCSOs use the water taxi during its operating season.

"Our Neighbourhood Policing Team also often speak to those who drive the water taxis when they are moored at the town centre jetty, during their patrols.

"Anyone with information about the damage to the jetty should call Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting Incident 123 of June 12."