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Garden ornament thieves strike at Summersdale home
A second Observer reader has been targeted by garden ornament thieves – this time they got away with no less than 12 statues from a home in Summersdale.
After reading Southbourne resident Brian Leaning's story of how sentimental ornaments belonging to his dead wife had been stolen, Christine Harriott also had a story to tell.
She has proudly displayed the ornaments in her front garden for more than 15 years, having been given them as gifts by her grandchildren.
The 73-year-old woke on Friday, June 5 to find them missing.
"I was absolutely devastated as my grandchildren had bought them for me over the years," she said. "Each meant something to me.
"I was sobbing my socks off. It is not a nice feeling to know they have come to my front door to take them.
"People should be aware. If your ornaments are easy access you should move them to the back perhaps."
The ornaments stolen included a band of frogs playing instruments, a large Labrador, a smaller dog, a rabbit and a snail among others.
She said she did not put her bedroom light out until 1.45am that night, so the thieves must have come some time after that.
She added: "I think they are evil, quite honestly. They are inconsiderate, they have no thought for the person's emotions.
"They have taken things that mean something to that person and they could not care less. Some of the ornaments have been there for 15 years.
"People seem to think they might be taking them to car boot sales."
Anyone with information regarding the theft should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070 999.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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