Illegally moored boats in Hampton have been ordered to leave that part of the river.

A total of 17 boats, moored next to Thames Water in Lower Sunbury Road, were served eviction notices on Friday, August 15, which required the vessels to be removed from the riverbank by Tuesday, August 19.

The eviction was carried out by officers from Hampton local policing team and the Marine Police Unit alongside the Thames Water enforcement team.

Acting Police Sergeant Michael Somers from the Hampton local police team, said: "This is part of an ongoing operation where the Metropolitan Police Service is assisting land owners to remove boats moored without permission.

"We have previously worked with councils and the Environment Agency however, in this case, we have partnered with Thames Water.

"Apart from being unsightly, many of these boats have caused issues with local residents in relation to antisocial behaviour - including noise, toilet waste in the river and fly-tipping."

The eviction comes days after river users said people felt intimated walking past boats moored at Teddington Lock One river user, who did not want to be named, said they fully supported enforcement action by any agency and said that they hoped more "dreadful" boats would be removed once the council obtain a bylaw, which would allow easier eviction of riverboats moored illegally.

Councillor Pamela Fleming, cabinet member for environment, said: "The council supports this co-ordinated approach which should bring about the removal of illegally moored vessels on the Thames in Hampton.

"As part of the ongoing process to address this issue, Richmond Council has worked closely with the Environment Agency and Marine Police Unity to carry out similar activities to evict illegally moored vessels on the Thames."