Friday, January 27, 2012

Callous thieves target Somerset church's garden of remembrance

Callous thieves have left mourners heartbroken after targeting a church garden of remembrance in Westfield.
Shocked churchwarden Pat Belben contacted police after noticing the large "Garden of Rest" sign outside St Peter's Church had been stolen.
The metal sign is about 2ft by 1ft in black with gold lettering.
He said it is of huge importance to people who come to the garden to remember loved ones because it creates a sense of familiarity and added that the incident has left families worried that graves may be targeted next.
Mr Belben added: "I can't believe someone would steal a sign for a remembrance garden. It is very important to people who come here because it is part of the garden.
"The sign may make whoever stole it a few quid, but the theft could cost us a couple of hundred pounds to replace."
Fellow warden Lynne Waton shared Mr Belben's anger and dismay.
She said: "It is terrible that someone would take the sign simply for their own gain. This should be a sacred place where people can come for a moment to pay their respects, pray or to remember loved ones."
Mr Belben appealed to anyone with information about the sign to call the police.
Sergeant Geoff Cannon, from Radstock police, said officers at the station were upset and angry that someone could steal the sign.
He said: "Rather than choose a piece of utility equipment to steal, thieves that clearly have no conscience have taken something on this occasion that is precious to the local community and that will be sorely missed."
Sgt Cannon said he thinks someone will know where the sign has gone and appealed to anyone with information to call the police.
He added: "This is not something that can be disposed of easily. Someone knows where it is."
Sgt Cannon also urged people to remain vigilant, especially those who live near churches.
In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in metal thefts across the country which has seen thieves targeting war memorials, railway lines, street signs and manhole covers.
In September the theft of seven manhole covers from around the Timsbury area cost Bath and North East Somerset Council thousands of pounds.
Anyone with information re the theft of the sign should call Avon and Somerset police on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

(Reproduced from This Is Somerset, 27th Jan)

Gardien Comment: Metal theft continues to be a major problem although the government are trying to introduce measures to curb it. Thought should be given to the protection of all outdoor metal items - see the advice at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/outdoor-items-security.aspx

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