The Environment Agency has promised a new crack down on illegally moored boats along the Thames between Kingston and Richmond, writes Abbie Llewellyn.

It follows pressure from action group Reclaim the Riverbank.

Previous success was achieved in removing illegally moored boats upstream of Teddington and a meeting was held last week to discuss ongoing strategy including with MPs Zac Goldsmith, Tania Mathias and James Berry.

Mr Goldsmith said: “Illegally moored boats are not only a blight on the waterscape, but they also disrupt the river’s natural flow, cause pollution, and can pose a fire risk.”

The MPs also promised to look into whether legislation could mitigate the problem.

In summer 2014 police and Thames Water ordered owners of 17 illegally-moored boats near Hampton Wick to leave the area.