Braunston—a no-go area

REGARDED by many as the Heart of the Waterways, Braunston is well on the way to becoming a no-go area for boaters, due to the activities of criminals.

It is David Otway, who organises the London Narrow Boat Project, which gives disadvantaged children from inner cities cruises along waterways, who having had the trip boat vandalised over five years at Braunston, believes it could become a no-go area for boaters, Alan Tilbury reports.

Other boaters

David tells that the charity has suffered both its boats, moored at Bottom Lock, being targeted by yobs, and of other boaters who have had their boats broken into and their cars vandalised, remarking:

"People are leaving their vehicles parked next to the canal and they are being broken into and vandalised. The latest incident was last week when a car was vandalised when the owner was out on the canal, but that is just the latest in a long line of incidents."

Increase security

It was in November last year, that narrowboatworld reported that the local  manager had promised to increase security after more attacks on boats and property.  At one time boat sheds had been broken into and equipment stolen.

In addition to it now seems regular attacks on vehicles, one car was set alight by the vandals.

Serious threat

David believes that these continuing problems  will end up driving boaters away from the area, and the ongoing problems were now a serious threat, remarking:

"If people's vehicles are being vandalised they are not going to return are they? It is depriving people of what we do as a charity while this wanton vandalism is going on.

"Nothing seems to be able to be done about it and quite frankly Braunston, which as far as I am concerned is the heart of the canal system and a lovely place to go, is in danger of becoming a bit of a no-go area now. And I would hate Braunston to get a reputation like that."