FORTY watercraft users were stopped for speeding in Poole Harbour, during a one-day operation targeting antisocial behaviour on the water.

This initiative, Operation Seagoing, was launched in response to a growing number of reports of dangerous and irresponsible use of watercraft, such as small speed boats, wet bike and jet skis in and around the harbour and along the Dorset coast.

On Saturday, July 3, officers from Dorset Police's marine policing team joined police community support officers, special constables, officers from BCP Council and representatives of Poole Harbour Commissioners as part of the operation.

They patrolled and spoke to more than 150 people from Christchurch, through Bournemouth and Poole and up to Swanage.

Other agencies involved included Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, the Marine Management Organisation, HM Coastguard, the RNLI and Dorset Council.

Police Sergeant Sophie Williams, of Poole neighbourhood policing team, said: “We were really pleased to have engaged with so many people during the first day of this operation.

"We received very positive feedback on the day about people travelling at a safer speed in the harbour from Poole Harbour control."

Of the 150 water users spoken to, 80 were on the slipway at Poole Harbour and the remaining in the water off the Dorset coast.

Police say most of them were found to be behaving sensibly and responsibly.

However, around 40 watercraft users were stopped for speeding in Poole Harbour.

Officers say these individuals were spoken to and provided with "awareness training in the water in a bid to change behaviour and prevent further offences from occurring in the future".

Sgt Williams said: "Unfortunately, we did find a number of watercraft users flouting the speeding restriction in the harbour and we took the opportunity to provide them with some educational training in a bid to remind them to respect all water users, behave responsibly and be mindful that people are swimming in the sea.

“Inappropriate or dangerous use of any type of watercraft or small boat will not be tolerated in our county. If people are found to be flouting the rules we, or our partner agencies, will take robust action against them and they could end up in court and with a heavy fine.

“We will be carrying out this operation throughout the summer months to ensure everyone can enjoy the water safely.”

There are 10-knot and six-knot speed limits in Poole Harbour and anyone found breaking this could be fined up to £1,000 by Poole Harbour Commissioners, plus legal costs.

In Poole Bay beach goers and people using personal watercrafts will see yellow buoys along the seafront of BCP beaches.

These are placed 200 metres from the shoreline and set out where people can swim safely.

People using personal watercrafts are able to enter that zone, but they must ride the watercraft at six knots or less in Bournemouth and Poole and four in Christchurch, which is a walking pace.