Pigeon statue taken in spate of Folkestone garden thefts
A statue of a woman holding a pigeon was one item taken in
a spate of thefts from gardens.
A concrete lion statue and dressed stone mushroom statue were
stolen in another theft of ornaments and equipment, one of five in
Shepway in just over a week.
Now police are asking homeowners to review their garden
security.
The woman statue was taken from Harcourt Road, Folkestone,
between 11am and 11.10am on Wednesday, February 27.
The lion and mushroom statues were stolen from the driveway of a
property in the town’s Cherry Garden Avenue between February 25 and
27.
Meanwhile a 2ft tall concrete flowerpot with rosebuds around it
was taken from Wood Avenue, Folkestone, between 9.30am and 11am on
Tuesday, February 26.
A garden shed was broken into in Park Lane, Elham, between 7am
on Sunday, March 3 and 9am on Monday, March 4.
Several items were taken including a Honda lawnmower and a leaf
blower.
A ride-on lawnmower was also taken in Stelling Minnis during the
same period.
A 36-year-old man from Folkestone was arrested and questioned
following the spate and has been released on bail pending further
inquiries.
Police now want to hear from anyone who has seen anything
suspicious or been offered garden ornaments for sale in suspicious
circumstances.
A Kent Police spokesman said: “With the lighter evenings and
more spring-like weather opportunistic thieves will target gardens
for valuable items such as furniture and tools, which they can sell
on or use in other crime.”
Police advice to homeowners includes:
Maintain hedges and fences to prevent intruders entering
your garden.
Store bins and ladders carefully so they can’t be used
for climbing.
Keep tools and equipment somewhere secure after use so they don’t
get stolen or used to break into your home.
Secure sheds and garages with suitable locks and
consider fitting shed alarms and security lights.
Disable lawnmowers and other large machinery when not in
use and chain items together or to a solid anchor
point.
Security mark valuable items, taking photographs and
recording details such as serial numbers and identifying
marks.
Register valuables on a property database such as www.immobilise.com.
For further information visit
www.kent.police.uk/advice/property_security/property/garden_shed.html.
07/03/13
- Click here for more Ashford news...
- Click here for more news from across the county...