The Canal & River Trust believes that several locks were left open deliberately
17:42, 08 Aug 2025Updated 20:00, 08 Aug 2025
Two miles of the Trent and Mersey canal have been left barren
Police have launched an appeal for information as part of their ongoing investigation into a drained canal. The two-mile stretch of the Trent and Mersey canal, by Kidsgrove, was emptied after several locks were left opened in an apparent act of vandalism.
The Canal & River Trust reported the incident to police after they discovered the water had been lost between locks 44 and 54 last Saturday (August 2). The charity believes the canal was destroyed deliberately by yobs in a bid for online attention.
Several locks were left open over the weekend
Now Cheshire Police have picked up the case, as the majority of the stretch lies within their jurisdiction. They believe the incident occurred sometime after 9pm.
A force spokeswoman said: “Police have been made aware that the Trent and Mersey canal had been emptied between locks 44 and 54. It is thought the locks were emptied sometime between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday 2 August.
“Enquiries are continuing. Anyone with any information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us quoting IML 2149637. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
The Canal & River Trust say the drainage will have massive consequences for animals and moored boats along the canal. Now they are looking into the incident – which they believe is linked to other instances of antisocial behaviour in the area.
A spokesperson said: ““Our charity has been dealing with the after-effects of people purposefully draining water from the canal in Kidsgrove. This can cause massive problems for the boats that are moored in the area and the fish and other wildlife that lives in the canal. We believe that this vandalism may be motivated by people looking for social media ‘likes’, and we’re asking people to let us know if they see anyone misusing the canal locks.
Only a trickle of water remains
“A two-mile stretch of canal between locks 44 and 54 was affected, with every lock opened. The locks along this stretch are closed to navigation due to very little water left in the supplying reservoirs, so this is hard to recover from. Today we’ve chained and padlocked locks in the area to save what water we have left. Another incident like this could be devastating.
“We’re working with the police on this and other reports of antisocial behaviour in the area which may be linked. Please respect any advice signs, which are in place to keep people safe and protect the canal.”
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