(Updated 14th July, see addition at end): Local police are appealing for information after a stone statue was stolen from the garden of a house on Albion Mews, Lancaster last week.
At sometime between 6.30pm on the 4th July and 10.30am on the 5th July a two feet tall, gold-painted statue of a boy was stolen from the garden of the property on Albion Mews, which is off De Vitre Street, close to Lancaster Canal.
The statue was the last gift given to the elderly lady owner from her late husband and has great sentimental value to her and police are urging anyone who may have any information to help locate the item to come forward.
“This theft has left this lady extremely upset,” says PC Ben Hanley from Lancaster Police “and I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area or with any information that might help to come forward and contact us.”
While there is no suggestion the crimes are connected, there have been several garden thefts in recent months, including that of a summer house from the grounds of a much-loved local charity, CancerCare.
The police advise residents to, where possible, lock valuable garden items away at night so that they don’t provide temptation to thieves. They should also consider measures such as chains on hanging baskets or benches. Postcoding items is also a good idea as this helps identify the owner.
• The police reported 14th July that the statue has now been recovered and returned to the owner.The investigation into the theft continues. Anyone with any information can contact police on 01524 63333.
• Anyone who wants to discuss improving safety measures at their home can contact police on 01524 63333. There’s also a brief guide to Garden crime prevention here: www.garden-security.co.uk/garden-crime-prevention.aspx