Appeal after thieves carry off garden furniture in Fleetwood

The intruders managed to take the entire suite, including a sofa, two chairs and a glass-topped table, from the property on Lawrence Row, Birch Street, between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

The theft left grandmother and mum-of-three Maureen Mitchinson devastated, especially as she had only just been given the furniture set as an 80th birthday present earlier this month.

Altogether the items cost £500.

At the time of the theft the side gate to the back garden had been bolted.

Granddaughter Laura Doyle said: "This has been a real shock to gran, she's only just got the furniture and she loved it.

"The thought that someone has come into the garden late at night is a worry as well.

"We don't know how they managed to take the furniture but we presume they had a van and have have loaded it in the back and driven off.

"Someone may have seen or heard something and we would just ask them to contact the police if they have."

The theft comes after a number of similar incidents in the town over the last few weeks.

In one incident on Sunday May 10, burglars left a cruel message for their victim by spray painting “Thanks Pal” and “Ha!” on the 68 year old pensioner’s fence after stealing his power tools, also valued at around £500, from the property on Oxford Road.

Laura added: "There seem to be a few of these thefts at the moment and people need to be vigilant and keep their eyes open."

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101, quoting log number 197 of the 19th of May, or phone the confidential Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.