Tackle stolen as angler slept

Simon Bovington, of Hucknall, was pitched at his usual peg at Moorgreen Reservoir when thieves struck in the early hours stealing thousands of pounds worth of gear.

“I have been a member of the fishery for 13 years and go every week and not had any problems in the past,” explained Simon. “Which is why I am so shocked at what’s happened.”

Simon had been fishing at the site for two days and it was in the early hours of the third day that he awoke to discover his gear had been stolen.

“My mate who I had been fishing with, came to my tent to ask me to keep an eye on his stuff whilst he nipped to work and said my gear had been taken,” explained Simon. “I thought he was joking around but he wasn’t.

“I’d woken up about 2.45am to go to the loo and everything was ok but by 6.45am, when my mate woke me, they had gone.”

Simon’s rods and reels were fitted with alarms and he felt reassured as it is also a members only fishery with a bailiff living nearby.

“It was top quality gear worth just under £3,000,” added Simon who has collected the equipment over several years. “And I’ve just found out that the insurance company will only give me £900 as unbeknown to me our policy has been transferred to another company.”

A police spokesman said: “This was a brazen theft. If you think you have have been approached to buy this equipment call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

This is the only incident of its kind we are aware of in the area of late.