Police have launched an investigation after a two-mile section of the Trent & Mersey Canal was deliberately drained in what is believed to be an act of vandalism. Several locks along the canal, passing through Kidsgrove, were found open on Saturday, 2 August, causing significant loss of water between locks 44 and 54. The Canal & River Trust reported the incident to Cheshire Police and suspects it was carried out in pursuit of online notoriety, according to Cheshire Live.
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A spokesperson for the charity said: “Our organisation has been dealing with the consequences of people deliberately releasing water from the canal in Kidsgrove. This can cause serious harm to moored boats, as well as to the fish and other wildlife inhabiting the waterway.
We suspect this act of vandalism may have been motivated by a desire for social media ‘likes’, and we urge the public to report anyone seen misusing the canal locks.” The spokesperson confirmed that every lock within the affected stretch had been opened. With the locks already closed to navigation due to low reservoir levels, the loss is particularly challenging to reverse.
“To preserve what water remains, we have now chained and padlocked the locks in this area,” they added. “Another incident of this nature could be devastating. We are working closely with police on this matter and on other reports of antisocial behaviour in the vicinity, which may be related. We also ask that people respect all safety notices, which are there to protect both the public and the canal.”
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Cheshire Police believe the incident occurred between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday evening. A force spokeswoman said: “We have been informed that the Trent & Mersey Canal was drained between locks 44 and 54, and it is believed the locks were opened intentionally during this period.”
