Island talk of CCTV after hero's watch goes missing

Published on Thursday 2 September 2010 15:52

With a population of 150 and no resident police officer, the island of Eday is not a place regularly visited by crime.

With a population of 150 and no resident police officer, the island of Eday is not a place regularly visited by crime.

But residents are having to review their attitude to security, with talk even of installing surveillance cameras, after a valuable watch loaned by a hero Coastguard crew member was stolen.

The gold rotary watch was presented to Alistair Scott in 1967 for his part in the daring rescue of two boys whose motorboat Pansy ran on to rocks. He loaned it to the centre for an exhibition last year, but this week noticed it was missing from its glass case. He believes the case was left unlocked.

The matter was reported to police, who are now appealing for information to help find the "irreplaceable" timepiece.

Mr Scott, 73, said: "I gave it to the centre about a year ago, when they did an exhibition on boats and rescues.

"It was myself that noticed it was gone. I had looked in to see what was happening and noticed it was gone. The case was unlocked.

"I came home and mentioned it, and since then it's been like heather on fire.

"It's upsetting that it's been taken, but hopefully it will turn up. It's something that can't be replaced."

Clive Brookes, chairman of the Eday Partnership and a member of the heritage centre committee, said: "Up until now, the centre has opened in the morning and closed in the evening and people are free to go in and enjoy what's there.

"Do we now need CCTV cameras? Should we only have the centre open if there is a custodian there?"

The watch is gold with a white face and a unique engraving on the back.

The watch was given to Mr Scott for his part in the rescue of two boys from a grounded vessel in 1967.