(THE latest chapter in the Mudeford ‘jettygate’ saga has taken a criminal turn after the controversial metal gate was stolen.

The theft was reported to Dorset Police around 10am yesterday morning by Christchurch Borough Council - which owns the gate.

A police spokesman confirmed the force was investigating the incident.

She added: “The gate was last seen at 7pm on Thursday night.

“It was welded to the frame and appears to have been cut off.

“We are now appealing for any witnesses to get in touch.”

Beach hut owner Tony Webb said he was "gobsmacked" after finding out yesterday afternoon the gate had been stolen.

"For it to be suddenly gone, I was very surprised. There's been a lot of 'hoo-ha' about this gate, but I think it was very ill thought out.

"I've had a hut here for 50 years and the jetty's never really been a problem."

Tony Brown, who builds the beach huts along Mudeford sandbank, added: "I'm very surprised, but, saying that, this was always going to happen.

"The gate was a silly idea. However, there's been talk of building a second jetty - may that idea come to fruition."

Christchurch Borough Council installed the gate at Mudeford sandbank’s ferry jetty in February for “health and safety reasons”.

But the decision prompted a backlash by angry beach hut owners who saw the gate as an “eyesore”.

After months of discord between the two parties it was believed that a peace agreement was on the horizon after the council agreed to try to find a solution to satisfy all interested users earlier this month.

Cllr Patricia Jamieson, vice-chairman of the Community Services Committee at the council, said: “We are extremely disappointed by the gate’s unlawful removal as any incurred costs are likely to impact the ability to carry out further improvements to the area.”

A council spokesman has confirmed that a new gate has already been ordered but says it won’t be ready for at least a fortnight.

He also said that until the new gate is installed there will be nothing in place to stop people from using the jetty.

Steve Barratt, chairman of the Mudeford Sandbank Beach Hut Association, said he didn’t think any of his members would be “stupid enough” to steal the gate.

“I am honestly gobsmacked that the gate has been stolen and to be honest think that the act was completely unnecessary.

“I’m really not happy about it because while I want nothing more than to see the gate removed I want it to be done legally when the council is forced to remove it officially.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting 55160065983.