Youths are believed to have caused £10,000 of damage to boats that help disabled youngsters enjoy sailing.

Two of Otley Sailing Club’s safety boats were badly smashed during the incident between 1pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday.

The alarm was raised by a gamekeeper who, first spotting the boats out on Weston Water, presumed they were being driven by club members. On closer inspection, however, he saw a group of youths and called the police.

The boats have to go out when the club is holding any of its sailing sessions with disabled children, which vice-commodore John Carberry fears could now be suspended indefinitely.

He said: “These are the power boats we use when we have our disabled youngsters out on the water and we need them for safety reasons.

“But it looks like some lads decided to steal the boats, joy-ride in them and then wreck them, without a thought about what that might do.

“We have had to cancel two disabled sessions today and will probably have to cancel more again tomorrow and, until we can get one working again or replaced, we won’t be able to hold any more sessions.”

Mr Carberry said: “There are several members I’ve spoken to who are very upset and concerned about this. We do an awful lot of work for young people so to have these youngsters deliberately break stuff, and so deny others the opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy the fresh air, is disgusting.”

Both boats were left with severely-damaged propellers along with damage to their engines, hulls and steering.

Mr Carberry said: “It could well be in the order of £10,000 to repair or replace them, because one of the engines will almost certainly have to be replaced.

“We’ve had break-ins in the past but the police eventually nailed the person responsible, once they turned 16.

“Our worry is that because it looks like it was youngsters behind this, they’ll just get their knuckles rapped and come back and do it again.”

Detective Constable Simon Heathcote said: “We would be very interested to hear from anybody who may have information about this incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Heathcote on 07921 883106 or call the confidential Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.