Vandalism hot spots.

[David Mack]

10 hours ago, Rob-M said:

We try to do the same, engaging youths at the locks rather than being aggressive with them.

 

Same here. Going down the Avon between Bath and Bristol a boater coming the other way warned us of problems with feral youths swimming in the next lock. When we got there it was just a bunch of kids, boys and girls. We politely asked them to get out of the lock while we worked the boat through, which they did. Some were curious and watched or helped with the gates, others sat together in a group a little way back from the lockside, drinking from cans and smoking. And as we left, one asked if we could fill the lock again so they could swim in it. So we did. 

What problem?

[matty40s]

Kings Lock Aylestone has been the local swimming pool since it was built except for when the volockies turn up and boss the boaters around.

Only one way to get this lot out, have a ride and we will fill the lock up after we get out.

[Keeping Up]

Agreed, the best way is to engage them in conversation and even enlist them as crew if possible. Treat them like animals and they'll behave like animals; treat them like human beings and they'll behave like human beings.

 

We once had problems at a couple of the locks on the Nene, when teenage lads had decided to show how brave they were by riding up on top of the guillotine, then deliberately jumping in so that the suction as the lock was emptying would pull them down and under the gate to emerge on the downstream side of it. We didn't dare proceed in such a dangerous situation, but then we spotted a small harmless snake swimming in the lock. When we pointed this out to the lads they ran off in terror, pursued by their laughing and singularly unimpressed girlfriends.

 

ETA at Aylestone we even got them to walk our dog for us while we went through the lock.

Edited September 15, 2020 by Keeping Up