FRUSTRATED sailing club bosses are asking residents to keep a look out after crooks attempted to steal a boat engine.

Thieves are thought to have targeted the Stour Sailing Club in Manningtree on last Friday night.

The break-in at their Quay Street compound was discovered on Saturday morning.

A padlock was damaged and security bolts were cut, as were chains locking a outboard motor, but nothing was taken in the break-in.

Club commodore David Warner said: “We would appreciate it if the local people, particularly in Quay Street, could be our eyes and ears as we can’t be about all the time. “

Anyone with any information about the break in or anybody who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 quoting incident 670 of September 12.