Vandals caused more than £3,000 damage when they cut a 60ft pontoon and four small catamarans from their moorings on the River Severn in Shrewsbury.

It is the second time in a matter of weeks that the pontoon at Shrewsbury School Boat House has been deliberately set loose by vandals, and police are now investigating whether the two incidents are linked.

Security is also being stepped up at the site in a bid to prevent further problems.

In the latest incident, which happened between about 11pm on Friday and 5am on Saturday, the pontoon floated downstream after it was cut free and ended up stuck by the railway bridge in the town.

Four small catamarans, known as launches, were also washed down river and over the weir, causing substantial damage to the vessels, with one believed to be beyond repair.

Ian Turner, boatman for the boat house, said the number of locks and chains had already been increased following the first incident in August, but the vandals were “determined”.

He said security would be stepped up in the pontoon area, and there was also the possibility of a CCTV camera system being installed.

“If we catch them we will prosecute,” he said.

Maria Hawkaluk, a spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said: “The offender or offenders have managed to break substantial locks securing the pontoon to the river bank in Kingsland, which is likely to have taken some time.

“If anyone saw suspicious persons around the boat house or has any information as to who was responsible for the vandalism, we would ask them to please contact police on 08457 444888.”