Fresh appeal in hunt for thief who stole stone gate post toppings from Blackpool street

The man was caught on CCTV lifting the gate post topping up and putting it in the back of the waiting car

As reported in The Gazette at the time, residents on Collingwood Avenue, Layton, woke up to find the objects – worth an estimated £300 each – missing on Tuesday.

CCTV footage from the street shows one of them being taken at around 5.40am.

The footage shows a man test three of the gate toppings before lifting one off the brick gate post and putting it in the back of a waiting car.

A number of others were taken around the same time and police continue to investigate the thefts.

Residents on other streets have reported similar incidents in recent days but it is unclear if they are linked.

Officers have now shared the CCTV footage, which was on The Gazette’s website last week, in the hope of identifying the man seen taking one of the stone objects.

Posting on Twitter, Blackpool Police wrote: “Do you know this man? We are looking to identify him in relation to multiple thefts of gate mullions that took place on August 28 on Collingwood Avenue.”

It is thought a silver Ford estate car was used in the theft.

Anyone with information is asked to email PCSO Mackay at [email protected] and quote the reference number WA1820888.