Solved - the mystery of blue crabs invading Clacton's streets

Baffled residents had to pinch themselves after finding images of creepy crustaceans had been daubed in blue paint on street drains in the dead of night.

Robert Miller, of Plymouth Road, said: "We woke up in the night to hear chattering and the sound of spray cans.

"I thought it was someone out doing graffiti."

When he went to investigate he discovered blue crabs had been painted by the drain covers near his house.

"I was playing spot the crab on the way to work this morning," said Mr Miller.

"They stretch all the way from the pier to the Toby Carvery and the Martello Tower.

"I'd like to know how many there are to be honest.

"We thought it was a wind-up at first or something to do with a treasure hunt.

"It was quite comical, but I was intrigued. Then I thought it was a warning that someone was coming round to sterilise the drains because they were infested with crabs."

He phoned the council but they couldn't shed light on the mystery stencils.

But further investigation revealed Anglian Water was responsible for the curious crabs.

"They said it was to make people aware that anything they flush down the drains goes straight into the sea," said Mr Miller.

"I assume it is because the Martello Beach has lost its blue flag."

Anglian Water spokesman Nik Shelton said: "We've put them out there for a week or so to see if we can get people talking about them.

"Anything that goes down the surface water drains goes into the sea. We've had instances of contractors emptying tanks from various vehicles into them or things being poured down them.

• PINCER MOVEMENT: The team arm themselves with stencils as they head out at night. 

"People think it goes to a treatment centre but it goes out to sea."

Mr Shelton said misusing drains could affect bathing water quality and harm wildlife.

"We don't want Clacton getting a bad name for icky stuff in the sea," he said.

"Clacton is renowned for the quality of its beaches and sea and lots of businesses rely on tourism."

Water pollution near the pier has baffled experts for years, with no obvious source.

Nearby Martello Beach lost its prestigious Blue Flag status last month.

It is the first time Anglian Water has used the blue crabs. The crustaceans even have their own Clacton Crabs twitter account.

• POLLUTION THREAT: Evidence of waste being tipped down storm drains.

Mr Shelton said: "We are trying it out here. It's raising awareness and getting people talking. Hopefully it will make people stop and think.

"If they see a lorry pouring something down a drain with a blue crab next to it they can report it to us or the council."