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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Mort's Riverwatch

An occasional look at the ebb and flow of the Thames

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Tag: Surrey Police

Environment Agency red board
Recent developments

Seeing red over safety

14/03/201329/12/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

I thought I’d take a look at the progress being made on the construction of the new river crossing at Walton on Sunday morning by going to the Surrey County Council webcam.

Emma Much
Local people Recent developments

River Watch set to keep ’em peeled…

24/06/201203/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

They do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I suppose I should be somewhat flattered to learn that Surrey Police has joined forces with Spelthorne, Elmbridge and Runnymede Neighbourhood Watches to launch a new crime reduction initiative called – River Watch.

Walton Bridge in watercolour
Local people Rules and regulations

Paintings illustrate beauty of river

11/11/201103/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

Photographs are great for keeping a record of what’s happening on our lovely river – but somehow paintings capture more of the spirit of an event that even the best photograph in my view.

Rules and regulations

Policing the river now DIY

13/08/201002/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

While a lot of attention is being focused on the Surrey Police initiative called Project Kraken – designed primarily to encourage a kind of neighbourhood watch on the river to spot possible terrorist activity – many local residents are still unhappy with the lack of a permanent dedicated officer on our stretch of the Thames.

Rules and regulations

Some Kraken results

25/07/201002/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

At the tail end of 2009, Surrey Police announced the launch of Project Kraken – an initiative designed to alert people on our stretch of the river to the dangers of terrorist and criminal activity on the non-tidal Thames.

Events

Racing in the memory of two gentlemen of the regatta

12/07/201002/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

It’s that time of year when the Thames regularly resounds to the shouts of enthusiastic coxes urging on the oarsmen in the boat in front of them and one of the highlights of the season is always Staines Amateur Regatta which takes place on Saturday, July 24.

Rules and regulations

Kraken news for Thames

03/12/200927/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Huzzah! The river bobbies are coming back. Earlier this year, I bemoaned the loss of the very excellent PC Jim Halstead who was a regular sight aboard the launch he shared with Environment Agency officers whilst patrolling our bit of the Thames.

Nature

We should have been asked!

08/11/200926/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

“What’s going on down by the river at Weybridge,” asked my regular contact Doug the Ancient Angler, “and just why have they chopped all the beautiful trees down?”

Rules and regulations

Kraken idea, hope it works

15/10/200927/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

As regular readers of this column will know, I deplored the decision by Surrey Police to remove the only officer dedicated to patrolling our stretch of the Thames back in August.

Rules and regulations

Fire and water don’t mix

02/09/200927/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Generally speaking, boating is a very relaxing and enjoyable pastime – in my opinion you just can’t beat pottering along the river on a beautiful day enjoying the tranquility and watching the wildlife.

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Get in touch

To contact Mort, email him at mortsmith32@gmail.com or call him on 01787 226974. He’s always pleased to hear from old friends who provided such a wealth of information and great stories for Riverwatch.

These columns appeared in the Surrey Herald.

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