Suspected burglar breaks into ship by climbing up anchor chain

A suspected burglar has been caught on camera shimmying up the anchor chain of a ship in order to break in. The man was pictured climbing into the Duke of Lancaster, which is dry-docked on the Flintshire coast.

North Wales Police (NWP) said several items were subsequently reported stolen from the ship at Llanerch-y-Môr Dock, Mostyn. The incident is said to have occurred between Saturday (September 3) and Sunday (September 4).

In a social media post appealing for information, one person replied: "Is it Captain Jack Sparrow trying to reclaim his ship?" Another added: "What are they trying to steal, rust?"

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The police want help from the public identifying these two men (NWP North Flintshire)

An aerial view of the Duke of Lancaster (PA)

The ship, a former railway steamer passenger ship, has not been used since the 1980s. It had a short life as a tourist attraction and has since become a decaying curiosity for sightseers.

And it's not the first time the vessel has suffered break-ins. Its owners have previously criticised so-called 'urban explorers' for also gaining entry without permission by "scaling the anchor chain."

NorthWalesLive reports that police have since launched an inquiry and now wants help from the public in identifying two men captured on the dock’s security cameras. A force spokesperson said: "If you recognise the people in these images, please contact us on 101 quoting Crime Reference 22000659528, or get in touch via the force’s online Live Chat facility."

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