LOBSTER THIEVES targeting Kirkcaldy harbour are putting their lives at risk, a fisherman has warned.

Denis Collins (39) has had two boxes of lobsters stolen over the past couple of months.

While the thefts have cost him hundreds of pounds, he is worried they could have cost the culprits their lives.

Once caught, the lobsters are kept in boxes offshore.

Mr Collins, who wears a thermal wetsuit while working, said anyone who fell into the icy waters would succumb to hypothermia in minutes.

He told The Courier, “I’m always fully kitted out with a thermal flotation suit so if I fell in it would give me about an hour and a half survival time in the water.

“But anyone who wasn’t equipped would only have about three minutes before hypothermia started to set in, then it’s curtains from there.

“At this time of year the water is freezing cold.”

After a day’s fishing on the Forth last Saturday, Mr Collins got back to the harbour at about 4.30pm and tied the box containing 20 lobsters to the side of his boat in the water between Deas Wharf and Lord Gambier Wharf.

He returned at about 8.30am on Monday to find the lobsters had been taken.

Two teenagers, aged 13 and 15, were reported to the Children’s Panel last month after stealing a creel from the harbour. The youngsters had skipped school and stolen around 30 lobsters while out on a boat.

Mr Collins said the lobsters were later found smashed beside the sea wall.

He said, “Last time it was kids but this time the thieves have been more methodical and I think they’ve been stolen to order.

“Somebody must have been watching me and come down with a knife late on Saturday night.”

A father of two young children, Mr Collins has lost around £600 because of the recent thefts and has also had to replace expensive equipment damaged by bad weather.

He said, “It’s a struggle from start to finish.

“Christmas is coming up and it’s big hits I’m taking.

“I’ve got a guy working for me and he depends on the business as well.”

He added, “It’s costing me money and it’s dangerous.

“For a matter of a dozen lobsters, it’s not worth people risking their lives.”

PC Alasdair Shaw said, “To access the boat, someone would have to lob a grappling hook from the harbour wall onto the boat and pull it in.

“This is a public area and in all likelihood some person has witnessed this activity.

“I would appeal to any person with knowledge of this theft to call us on 0845 600 5702 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”