Be on your guard against garden thieves
Friday, 6th May 2011.
Suffolk police are investigating a spate of thefts of ornaments, plants and equipment from gardens across West Suffolk since Easter.
Between Good Friday and today, items have been stolen from 19 gardens in the Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and Mid Suffolk districts, mostly in rural areas but some in towns.
Items taken include bird baths, statues, sun dials, a lawnmower, lights and plants. Many of these would have been very heavy to lift and transport away and most were reported stolen overnight.
Det Ch Insp Louisa Pepper said: "While Suffolk does see the occasional report of items such as pot plants, solar lights and ornaments being stolen from gardens, such an amount in a fortnight is unusual, and it is thought that possibly some of these items have been stolen to sell on.
“A number of the ornaments are distinctive, such as a grey stone frog, a Virgin Mary statue, a shepherdess and lion, a metal brazier log burner, an owl and a tortoise. We would appeal for anyone who may be offered such items for sale in unusual circumstances, or maybe at a fete or car boot sale, to contact us.
"While we don't want to discourage anyone from enjoying their garden, our advice is not to leave anything of value unattended in your garden. Investing in lighting and CCTV, and keeping your garden and boundaries tidy can discourage thieves. Be vigilant, and report any suspicious persons or vehicles in your area to police.
“Some of the items such as the lawnmower, a parasol and a camping stove, may not have been taken had they been locked away in a shed or garage after use. Mesh or bars can be fixed on shed and garage windows to conceal your property and deter criminals from breaking in, and alarms can be fitted for a small cost.”
Anyone with any information about such thefts should call Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Between Good Friday and today, items have been stolen from 19 gardens in the Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and Mid Suffolk districts, mostly in rural areas but some in towns.
Items taken include bird baths, statues, sun dials, a lawnmower, lights and plants. Many of these would have been very heavy to lift and transport away and most were reported stolen overnight.
Det Ch Insp Louisa Pepper said: "While Suffolk does see the occasional report of items such as pot plants, solar lights and ornaments being stolen from gardens, such an amount in a fortnight is unusual, and it is thought that possibly some of these items have been stolen to sell on.
“A number of the ornaments are distinctive, such as a grey stone frog, a Virgin Mary statue, a shepherdess and lion, a metal brazier log burner, an owl and a tortoise. We would appeal for anyone who may be offered such items for sale in unusual circumstances, or maybe at a fete or car boot sale, to contact us.
"While we don't want to discourage anyone from enjoying their garden, our advice is not to leave anything of value unattended in your garden. Investing in lighting and CCTV, and keeping your garden and boundaries tidy can discourage thieves. Be vigilant, and report any suspicious persons or vehicles in your area to police.
“Some of the items such as the lawnmower, a parasol and a camping stove, may not have been taken had they been locked away in a shed or garage after use. Mesh or bars can be fixed on shed and garage windows to conceal your property and deter criminals from breaking in, and alarms can be fitted for a small cost.”
Anyone with any information about such thefts should call Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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