BOATWATCH, a new scheme to prevent marine crime, is to be launched in East Yorkshire.

Humberside Police decided to set up the scheme, which will start on April 1, after 36 boat-related crimes were reported in the county in 2002.

Boat owners are invited to fill in a registration form, giving their contact details, the boat's name and number and the serial numbers of any equipment on board. The details will then be recorded on a computer database by Humberside Police.

Members of the scheme will be given a Boatwatch sticker to display on their boat.

A spokeswoman from Humberside Police said: "Marine crime is on the increase, although it is not a major problem in the Humberside area. It is hoped that Boatwatch will work like a neighbourhood watch scheme with boat owners becoming more aware of strangers or any suspicious activity and notifying the police."

She said that if any registered property was stolen, it would be traced to its owner and returned.

Any boat owner wishing to become involved in Boatwatch can get a registration form from their local marine office or police station.

Updated: 09:39 Friday, March 21, 2003