Police chase dinghy rower at royal visit

A FLYING Dutchman gave security forces the jitters as they patrolled Ipswich Wet Dock during the Queen's visit to Ipswich.Dutchman Wijsen Veek was involved in a bizarre "police chase" in the Wet Dock as he prepared to leave Ipswich Haven Marina to return home.

A FLYING Dutchman gave security forces the jitters as they patrolled Ipswich Wet Dock during the Queen's visit to Ipswich.

Dutchman Wijsen Veek was involved in a bizarre "police chase" in the Wet Dock as he prepared to leave Ipswich Haven Marina to return home.

He was rowing to his yacht, Wijsneus Van Haarlem, in an inflatable rowing boat when he saw the crowds waiting for the Queen.

As he watched all the crowds gathering with Union Flags to celebrate the arrival of the Queen, Mr Veek decided to fly the Dutch flag.

This prompted the Essex Police Launch –Vigilant III – which was patrolling the Wet Dock on behalf of Suffolk Police, to take an interest in what was happening.

"The launch followed him, but he went into the marina and that was that. He wasn't stopped and no further action was taken," said a spokeswoman for Suffolk Police.

Mr Veek left the marina at about 11am, while the Queen was on the Waterfront, to return home to Holland.

"He isn't a regular visitor to the marina, and he has now left – there was no real concern," said a spokeswoman for the marina.