Overview

• Cheshire Police have opened a criminal investigation into the deliberate drainage of a two-mile stretch between locks 44 and 54.
• Authorities believe vandals left the locks open between 9pm and 10pm on August 2 in an apparent bid for social media attention.
• The Canal & River Trust has chained and padlocked the affected locks to conserve what remains of the water supply.
• The trust warns that rapid drainage threatens moored boats and local fish and other wildlife in the canal.
• Police have appealed for information under case reference IML 2149637 and urged anyone with relevant details to contact them or Crimestoppers.