VANDALS have smashed the window of a charter boat at Weymouth harbour – causing £2,000 worth of damage and forcing its skipper to scrap fishing tours for the rest of the year.

Josh Simmonds, owner of Fish-On Angling Charters, faces a 12-week wait for the specialist glass to be replaced due to the coronavirus pandemic - bringing his season to a close early.

Dorset Echo: Around £2000 worth of damage was caused Picture: Fish On AnglingAround £2000 worth of damage was caused Picture: Fish On Angling

He says the incident is the ‘final nail in the coffin’ after a summer of drunken behaviour at the harbour. He claims his customers have been put off from visiting due to drunken yobs being abusive and littering the area with broken bottles and rubbish.

Dorset Echo: Mess left by drinkers on the harbour - "on a good day," Mr Simmonds said Picture: Fish-On Angling ChartersMess left by drinkers on the harbour - "on a good day," Mr Simmonds said Picture: Fish-On Angling Charters

Frustratingly, it is not the first time Mr Simmonds' boat has been targeted - he is still being paid damages after a girl vandalised his boat two years ago, as well as people regularly climbing aboard and causing damage.

He said the problem is noticeably worse due this year to an increase in groups of drinkers gathering at the harbour and bringing their own alcohol.

Dorset Echo: The smashed window Picture: Fish-On Angling ChartersThe smashed window Picture: Fish-On Angling Charters

"It looks as though someone's thrown a full glass bottle of cider at the window with force," said Mr Simmonds. It's just been an absolute nightmare this summer. This is the final nail in the coffin. It's ended the season for me as there's a 12-week wait for the specialist glass to be replaced due to coronavirus."

Father-of-two Mr Simmonds said he believes the incident happened after 10.30pm Sunday night, and has asked for CCTV cameras to be checked.

He said: "We often find bottles and cans on the roof and smashed glass all over the pontoons - we have to clean up before customers arrive - it's a nightmare.

"People regularly jump aboard and try to force entry to the toilet. A lot of skippers get on their boats in the morning and find people asleep half drunk.

"I think drinking on the quay has got out of hand. Pople aren't going into pubs, they're turning up with bags of beer completely wasted."

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "Police received a report at around 9.30am on Monday, October 26 that a bottle had caused damage to the windscreen of a boat in Weymouth harbour.

"We attend incidents based on threat, risk, harm and vulnerability. Officers will be making contact with the victim to get further details about the incident and carry out enquiries. No arrests have been made."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200161175.

To stay anonymous contact Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.