Speeding Jet Skiers with Children on Board Evade Cameras by Removing Plates

Jet skiers are traveling up to four times the speed limit and with children on board, a report says.

Conwy council is using CCTV cameras to try and catch the culprits at Conwy harbour but its efforts were foiled by a rider removing their registration plate to evade prosecution.

Harbour Master Matt Forbes stressed that it was a "minority of riders" who were putting others at risk contravening the 10-knot (11.5 mph) speed limit.

Forbes said in a meeting there had been a "number of instances of dangerous behaviour" in recent months.

"Speeding up to 30 or 40 knots with young children on board," he said.

"It tends to be in the narrowest area of the channel between Deganwy and the beacons."

It comes just a few months after cameras were installed in the area in an attempt to stop "reckless" behaviour from sailors who were caught speeding near the Beacons slipway.

In his report, Forbes said there were "clear unambiguous warning signs" at the Beacons slipway and the exits to Conwy and Delaney Marinas.

There were also two yellow special marks to denote the speed restrictions in the area.

"We've been working with the CCTV staff to capture it live, so when we are aware something is happening to film it," Forbes said.

"What we don't want to do is bring one in and it be unsuccessful."

Forbes said the authority would need evidence of the vehicle being launched before catching the rider speeding. The vehicle would then need to be recovered and Forbes said they "haven't got there just yet".

He added that the removal of a registration plate suggested that people were aware of the cameras in place.

Forbes said the warnings signs had since been improved on the harbour to ensure speed limits are "very clear".

He added that water patrols had been carried out over the last few weekends and there had been no behavioural concerns in that time.