POLICE have issued a warning after potentially dangerous flares were stolen from a fishing boat in Margate Harbour. The haul included three parachute flares, two hand held flares and a smoke flare.

Police spokeswoman Gemma Pettman said: “The boat owner is concerned these flares could be extremely dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands. The parachute flares in particular will fire up to 1,000 feet into the air and are therefore highly explosive.”

Other items taken include a gutting knife and a fire extinguisher.

More than £170 worth of damage was caused to the dashboard and window of the boat. Anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the flares is asked to contact Margate police.