Following two separate reports of jet-skis travelling at high speeds past the Embankment in the last two weeks, Cambridgeshire police has launched a joint operation with the Environment Agency to capture the riders seen flouting the law.

Neighbourhood Police Sergeant Ricky Passam said: "Two boat owners called in to report the dangerous use of jet-skis, incidents that are also dangerous to the wildlife on the river.

"The jet-ski riders are using the Potters Way car park to park their vehicles and to launch the jet-skis from there. We are determined to take positive action against those responsible and encourage people to call in should they see someone with a jet-ski in these areas."

Community safety officer Carol Aston added: "We have wonderful swans and geese, and we have the possibility of a colony of seals, so to have them threatened by yobs ignoring the speed limit is terrible. One boat owner has decided to leave after his deck was repeatedly swamped with water from the jet-ski's wash."

A spokeswoman for The Environment Agency, which manages the river, said: "Internal waterways are not suitable for jet-ski users. They create a huge wash which upsets other users and the wildlife there."

The Environment Agency has urged river users and passers-by to call a special hotline if they spot anything suspicious.

She added: "People should call and ask for the waterways team. They can then send someone down immediately to deal with it."

Although boat traffic has increased over the years on the River Nene, it is still quiet compared with other major regional rivers.

Angling spokesman Ken Wade said the anglers were used to sharing the river with boat owners and the wildlife, but the introduction of jet-skis has thrown that balance up in the air.

He said: "The riders tear up and down the river creating a tremendous wash. Our water bailiff, who clears up the river to help those fishing, got a complete drenching from a jet-ski rider who deliberately turned at high-speed in front of him.

"There are parts of the river they can ride on, but they are appearing as high as Orton locks. We have zero problems with boats but the jet-skis are causing increasing friction."

The emergency hotline is 0800 807060 or police can be called on 0845 456 4564.