BUNGLING thieves who attempted to steal a boat saw it float away before they could get in it.

Police have released CCTV images in a bid to track down the pair, who tried to steal the rowing boat from a garden in Beaulieu Road, Christchurch.

The incident took place at around 7.40pm on Saturday July 4 when two suspects entered the garden via a rubber dinghy on the River Stour.

Footage shows them attempting to take a blue and white rowing boat before it is swept along the river.

The first suspect is wearing a blue T-shirt with a white pattern on the front and beige-coloured shorts. The second suspect is wearing a T-shirt that is white on the front and black on the back, with black trousers.

Police Sergeant Scott McFarland, of Christchurch police, said: "I am now able to release CCTV images of two people I would like to speak to in relation to this incident.

"I appreciate the images of the suspects’ faces are not very clear, but they are wearing distinctive T-shirts, which I hope someone may be able to identify them from."

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 7:110 or call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.