Crime is sad sign of times for Rossendale grandad

AN ANGRY grandad has blasted thieves with a hand-painted sign in his front garden.
Peter Wareing, 61, of Helmshore Road, Helmshore, has put years of effort into his immaculate garden, with the help of his wife Carol, 65.
But when six multi-coloured solar lights went missing from his lawn, he decided to send a message to those responsible.
The sign, which can be seen by drivers and passers-by, reads: “May I wish the low life who stole from us a painful life.”
The couple, who have lived in Helmshore Road for 31 years, said the lights were stolen some time overnight, a week last Saturday.
Mr Wareing, an electrician and gas engineer, said: “It's not the lights, it's the principle of it.
“I’ve spent a lot of money on there and it’s just the pettiness to come in and take the lights.
“It's an invasion. They have come right up to my house.
“There was a statue with a light where my cat was buried, which means a lot to me, and they took that.
“I'm going to take the sign down now, because I think they have got the message.”
Mrs Wareing said thieves had previously stolen a 'please shut the gate' sign.
She added: “It must have been after dark. They stole six lights we put in, and two from next door's garden.
“They only cost about £20 for four, but somebody has come down into our garden, which we have put a lot of effort into, and taken them. It's sad.”
The couple's neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she had been consoled by a member of the community.
She said: “It was upsetting, but I want to say thank you to a neighbour who came round afterwards with a bunch of flowers. I didn't even know the lady.”

(Reproduced from The Lancashire Telegraph, Sept 14th)

Gardien Tip: A cheap and effective method of discouraging petty theft is to use Property Marking stencils. See http://www.garden-security.co.uk/SelectaMark-Property-Marking.aspx