Warning after spate of thefts

RESIDENTS have been warned to keep their gardens secure following an ‘unusual’ spate of thefts of ornaments, plants and equipment across West Suffolk. Items were snatched from 19 gardens in the Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and Mid Suffolk districts between April 22 and May 6.
They include bird baths, statues, sun dials, a lawnmower, lights and plants – with most reported stolen overnight.
Police have now reminded residents to be vigilant and take extra precautions in the wake of the crimes.
Det Chief Insp Louisa Pepper said: “Such an amount in a fortnight is unusual and it is thought that possibly some of these items have been stolen to sell on.
“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.
“Some of the items may not have been taken had they been locked away after use.”
She noted that a number of the ornaments were ‘distinctive’ including a Virgin Mary Statue taken from a garden in Red Lodge on April 29, a metal brazier log burner from Westhorpe on April 22 and a grey stone frog from Stowmarket between April 29 to 30.
Other items taken included nine statues from Hopton, from May 4 to 5, a sun dial and animal statues from Walsham-le-Willows between April 30 to May 1 as well as three rose bushes and 15 solar lights from Beck Row, from May 4 to 5.
Anyone who may be offered the items for sale in ‘unusual circumstances’ or at a fete or car boot sale or has information about the incidents should contact the police on (01473) 613500

(Reproduced from the Bury Free Press 16th May 2011)

Gardien Tip: Plenty of advice re garden security and products to minimise the risk of theft can be found at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/