Valuable garden ornaments theft

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Tuesday 24th March 2009

GARDEN ornaments, some thought to be hundreds of years old, have been stolen from outside a house in Leigh Sinton, Worcestershire.
A wrought-iron pump serving a well, believed to have been installed when the house was built in 1790, two staddle stones, again originals, a blue stone bird bath and concrete flower urns were taken from the property in Hereford Road some time between Wednesday, March 18 and Friday March 20.
The ornaments are thought to be worth in total around £1,500, with the pump itself estimated at £500.
The home’s owner Aubrey Pritchard said: “All of the ornaments are very old and hold a great deal of sentimental value to us, as well as being worth quite a bit.
“We think someone must have seen the ornaments, weighed up the house, and come back for them. It would have taken more than once person to lift them and they must have had quite a tough vehicle. They would have loaded some of them just off the road so we hope that people saw this and can help the police with their investigations.”
Porcha Treanor, press officer with South Worcestershire Police, said: “We are appealing for witnesses to the crime or to anyone who have been offered these items for sale.
“Anyone with information can call 0300 333 3000 and quote incident number 505S/200309.”
The Pritchards are offering a reward for information that leads to the safe return of the goods.

(Reproduced from the Malvern Gazette)

GADIEN TIP: Do not assume anything is too heavy to pinch. Use Forensic DNA on garden antiques to facilitate the return of items to their owners. See our advice at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/garden-antiques-security.aspx