Norwich man admits stealing kayaks from Blakeney dinghy park

Kallan Reilly used bolt cutters to cut loose and steal the vessels from the dinghy park at Blakeney.

The thefts, which happened sometime between October 6 and the morning of October 8 last year, prompted harbour officials to warn boat users at the quayside storage park to be extra vigilant. 

READ MORE: Kayaks stolen from Blakeney Dinghy Park at Norfolk quay

Reilly, 32, Carleton Road, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to 15 counts of theft - 14 kayaks and one trailer.

Kallan Reilly pleaded guilty to 15 counts of theft (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) Boat owners were warned to be extra vigilant following the thefts in October 2023 (Image: Google)

Items stolen had belonged to numerous different owners who used the park to store their kayaks near the water. 

A trailer used for transporting windsurfing boards was also stolen.

Stuart Cowan, prosecuting, said it had been a planned operation that involved him going around looking for kayaks to steal. 

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report telling Reilly all options were open including referring his sentencing to the crown court if it was deemed their powers of 12 months imprisonment were deemed insufficient. 

He will be sentenced on October 9.

Kayaks are a frequent target for both organised criminals and opportunist thieves. 

The Blakeney dinghy park, at one of the most popular locations on the Norfolk coast for people to take to the sea in canoes and kayaks, has previously been targeted by thieves. 

In 2020 a number were stolen while thefts also occurred along the coast at moorings at Morston.

Other thefts of boats and maritime equipment have also occurred. 

It has prompted police to urge people to take extra precautions like marking property and taking photos so vessels can be identified by police if found or if being re-sold, often online.