£6k raid on Port marine engineering company

Clyde Outboard Services owner Cameron Radford, 31, said he was ‘shocked’ by the break-in — and believes the thieves knew exactly what they were after.

Eight portable outboard motors for various types of boats were taken, as well as £200 in cash.

Cameron, who set up the company eight years ago, said the criminals used cutting equipment to get through his ‘hefty’ back door.

He said: “There must have been quite a bit of noise, and they would have needed a van to take away the motors.” The break-in happened some time between 5pm on Wednesday and 8.30am on Thursday at the Kingston Industrial Estate premises.

The company moved there two years ago after starting out in Larkfield Industrial Estate and then moving to Tarbet Street in Gourock.

Cameron, from Gourock, said: “We had to move into bigger premises because the business has been growing in the last few years.

“We provide outboard engines, motors and related services in the Glasgow, Clyde and Loch Lomond areas, and get business from all over the country.” The engines are marked with either the name Honda or Mariner on them.

The Honda engines are all silver in colour and the Mariner ones have a silver hood and black bottom half.

They vary in power from 2.3 horsepower to 20.

Cameron, who employs an apprentice, said: “We bought them in to sell for use on different types of craft, including tenders and small fishing boats.

“We will now be stepping up security and putting in a new alarm system.” Cameron’s successful company was established with a grant from the Business Gateway organisation, and was runner-up in their 2008 regional business awards.

He said: “We would like to thank our neighbours on the estate, AGM shopfitters, for their help in securing our premises after the theft.” A police spokesman today urged any witnesses to the theft to call them on 101.

He said: “We would also like to hear from anyone who is suspicious of outboard motors being sold privately.”