Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Naked statue goes missing

A naked statue theft is being linked to other crimes in South Cerney in the Cotswolds. A Venus de Milo statue was stolen from the garden of a South Cerney house and police are linking it to a number of other thefts in the same road.

The statue, which was outside the front door of the house, was stolen some time between February 9 and 17 from The Leonards.

The front grill from a BMW 320 parked in a driveway in The Leonards was stolen between 1pm on Thursday and 11.45am on Saturday.

Another grill was stolen from a BMW 318 at The Leonards between 6pm on Friday and 12.30pm on Saturday.

If anyone has any information about these thefts call police on 0845 090 1234.

(Reproduced from the Wilts and Gloucestershire Herald)

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Saturday, February 21, 2009

DNA could curb thefts of paving

Date: 19 February 2009
Police are launching their latest weapon in the battle against the theft of thousands of pounds worth of York paving stones from the Haslemere area.
Surrey police said more than 20 thefts had been reported since last summer from towns and villagers.

And most recently West Sussex police were called to The Greyhound pub on Cocking Causeway when thieves stole 25 thick York paving stones which had formed the pub's garden path for the past 50 years.

But now Surrey Police and their Safer Waverley partners are tackling the problem with a new DNA product which has helped cut the number of lead thefts.

They have bought a supply of weatherproof DNA-based glue which is to be used to mark valuable stone or similar materials. The glue, when applied, does not cause discolouration and has a unique identity code which can be seen under ultra-violet light.

Officers will then be checking with dealers in a bid to trace any marked stone.

Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Dann explained: "The theft of York stone and garden ornaments continues to be a problem. These items are often of high value, but once stolen are very difficult for police to identify conclusively.

"The use of modern DNA products allows an owner to mark their property making it unique and when officers recover property they can then restore it to the owner along with proof that it was stolen to the satisfaction of the courts.

"I would urge anyone with high-value property which might be targeted to consider buying these products in an effort to secure them."

He added: "On each occasion, the thieves are making off with a substantial quantity of stones and would be using a vehicle to transport them.

"If anyone sees a suspicious vehicle in the area they need to contact Surrey Police as any information could prove vital."

Police are reminding residents to stay vigilant as the area is still being targeted by York stone thieves.

They are asked to report sightings of any suspicious individuals or vehicles seen hanging around their property to police straight away.

Police are also appealing to anyone who has been offered second-hand paving stones to come forward, as they may have vital information about who is stealing them in the first place.

Anyone who has information which could help, or if anyone has been approached to buy second-hand paving, they should contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Swans stolen from garden

Thursday 19th February 2009

A LEDBURY couple are said to be most upset after thieves stole two ornamental swans from the front garden of their Ledbury home this week.

The offence happened between 3pm on Friday February 13 and 11am the next day when someone entered the front garden of their home in the Elmsdale Road area and removed the two swans.

One of the swans, made of plastic, was found further up the road in a neighbour's garden, smashed to pieces.

The second concrete swan, which is painted white and about 18" tall has not yet been recovered.

While the value of the swan is not high, at £15, it has certain sentimental attachments and the owners would simply like to see it returned.

Anyone who may have information on the theft should contact Lisa Hewitt in the Public Service Desk at Hereford Police Station on 0800 555111.

(Reproduced from the Ledbury Reporter)

GARDIEN tip: Follow the advice in our Outdoor Items section at
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Shed theft robs child of presents

19th February 2009

A BRECHIN youngster has been left down in the dumps after two of his most prized possessions were stolen from his garden shed.
Ten-year-old Calum Anderson discovered on Thursday when trying to get a sledge to go to play in the snow that his Blue Skyteam 100cc kids scrambler, which has pink flashes, and his yellow Harrow BMX had been taken from the shed at his home in Dundas Park.

Calum had received the scrambler for his birthday back in August, and had previously saved up birthday money to buy the BMX for himself.

Claire Allison, Calum's mum, explained: "The padlock had been broken off, and the police said that they must have had a key for the bottom lock of the shed, but that most of those types of key are the same. They broke into one of the other sheds as well but I don't think they have taken anything there because there were boxes in front of the stuff.

"The folk must have made a few trips for the theft though because the scrambler is heavy and it would have taken a few of them to push it up the embankment. Then folk would have had to come back to get the BMX and the strimmers which they stole as well, so it would have been a couple of trips.

Tayside Police stated "At this time of year it is more important than ever to be aware of security for any sheds, garages or outbuildings around your home. Very often these storage areas are not used for several weeks and, because of this, they can become a target for theft or vandalism, which can go un-noticed for some time.

"Ensure you check your shed, garage, outbuilding or other outside storage regularly.

"Look out for your neighbours and, if you see anything suspicious, contact the local police or information can always be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

(Originally published in the Brechin Advertiser)

GARDIEN TIP: Follow tha advice on our Sheds and Outbuildings page,
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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Bike theft angers Grandma

ON Saturday morning, January 7, I had a phone call from my daughter to say that her garden shed in St Lukes Flats, Penarth, had been broken into and the new bikes which belonged to my grandchildren had been stolen.

It was hard enough for my daughter to find the money for the bikes as there are three of them. The people who took them can’t think much of kids!

So please, if anyone knows anything about them or is reading this letter and have them, could they please return them to my grandchildren. The Penarth Times will have my address.

Name and Address Supplied

(Reproduced from the Penarth Times, South Wales)

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Heating Oil thefts

Tenby police issue warning following heating oil thefts

Police are urging homeowners to make sure domestic heating oil tanks are secure, following the theft of heating fuel from a property in Jeffreyston.

A quantity of fuel was stolen from an insecure domestic fuel tank in a back garden between Sunday, February 8th and yesterday (Monday, February 9th).

This is the second time fuel thieves have targeted the village in less than a month. Between January 14th and 19th 400 litres of heating oil were stolen from the back garden of a property.

Tenby police are advising homeowners who heat their properties with fuel oil to make sure that all tanks and containers are safely locked and safety lights or security cameras fitted where appropriate.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to contact Tenby police station on 0845 330 2000.

GARDIEN TIP - if you can't prevent access to the area of the tank, use a Neulock to make it as secure as possible. See www.garden-security.co.uk

Monday, February 9, 2009

Fishing Equipment stolen from shed

MORE than £1,430 of fishing equipment has been stolen from a garden shed in Newton Abbot.
Several rods, reels and tackle were taken from a shed in the rear garden of a house in Oaklands Road.
The incident happened between 11pm on January 17 and 6am on January 18.
A police spokesman said: "The shed was of concrete construction and the securing padlock was forced. A quantity of fishing equipment was stolen."
The stolen equipment included five rods together with reels, one being a silver ABU rocket (chrome QTC cage) and various amounts of tackle.
Anyone who has any information regarding this crime or who may have recently been offered fishing equipment for sale should contact PC Steve Ellyat on 08452 777 444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting crime number JN/09/142.

(reproduced from the South Devon Herald Express)

Couple hit by second theft

Monday, February 02, 2009,
A GRIMSBY couple has been left frustrated after two bikes were stolen from them in just two weeks.
After Mark Stinson's bicycle was stolen from the garden of his Boulevard Avenue home two weeks ago, he and his partner Gemma Flarty invested in a new bike – and a shed to store it in.
To their shock, the new bicycle has now also been stolen from inside the shed, exactly two weeks after the previous theft.
Miss Flarty (24) said: "This is the second bike that has been stolen from us in two weeks and we can't afford to replace it again.
"The first bike was taken from the garden so we replaced it – which cost £300 – and bought a shed to put it in.
"When the new one was stolen, it was locked up inside the shed, which was also locked.
"We are both really stressed and can't believe it. The police have said there is nothing they can do about it.

(Repoduced from the Grimsby Telegraph)