This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-22692875
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Slabs thieves target more properties in Pontypridd area | Slabs thieves target more properties in Pontypridd area |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Thieves who stole historic flagstones from a museum are targeting homes and gardens across the area, police warn. | |
| About 200 stones dating back to 1780 were lifted from Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum, Rhondda Cynon Taf, at the start of the bank holiday weekend. | About 200 stones dating back to 1780 were lifted from Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum, Rhondda Cynon Taf, at the start of the bank holiday weekend. |
| But thefts have continued in the past few days with one woman losing 54 slate and stone slabs from her garden. | But thefts have continued in the past few days with one woman losing 54 slate and stone slabs from her garden. |
| South Wales Police said: "Paving slabs are literally being ripped from the floor and transported away." | South Wales Police said: "Paving slabs are literally being ripped from the floor and transported away." |
| Museum trustees have condemned theft of its historic flagstones, worth an estimated £10,000. | Museum trustees have condemned theft of its historic flagstones, worth an estimated £10,000. |
| It came as the Nantgarw porcelain works was celebrating the 200th anniversary of its opening. | |
| Similar thefts have taken place in Pontypridd and nearby Rhydyfelin since the museum theft on Friday or Saturday. | Similar thefts have taken place in Pontypridd and nearby Rhydyfelin since the museum theft on Friday or Saturday. |
| Gina Oatten woke up on Tuesday to find large parts of the drive and front garden of her former canal lock cottage had been targeted. | Gina Oatten woke up on Tuesday to find large parts of the drive and front garden of her former canal lock cottage had been targeted. |
| Almost five dozen former church slate and stone slabs which were an estimated 200 years old were stolen. | Almost five dozen former church slate and stone slabs which were an estimated 200 years old were stolen. |
| The thieves pulled up the flagstones, stacked them and then loaded them in a vehicle so quietly they did not disturb her dog. | The thieves pulled up the flagstones, stacked them and then loaded them in a vehicle so quietly they did not disturb her dog. |
| She said: "I cannot believe how much it has upset me. | She said: "I cannot believe how much it has upset me. |
| "I didn't hear anything. I've got a big dog and she didn't hear anything either. The main part they dug up is under my bedroom window. | "I didn't hear anything. I've got a big dog and she didn't hear anything either. The main part they dug up is under my bedroom window. |
| 'Be vigilant' | 'Be vigilant' |
| "They took the best ones. They took big ones. They took all the right-shaped ones - that would make a nice patio - and left the cracked ones. | "They took the best ones. They took big ones. They took all the right-shaped ones - that would make a nice patio - and left the cracked ones. |
| "It's a real shock to get up and find half your garden missing. I will never be able replace them. It will never be the same." | "It's a real shock to get up and find half your garden missing. I will never be able replace them. It will never be the same." |
| Insp Nigel Griffiths said: "These thefts cannot be committed discreetly. There is serious work involved with the removal of up to 200 paving slabs for example. | Insp Nigel Griffiths said: "These thefts cannot be committed discreetly. There is serious work involved with the removal of up to 200 paving slabs for example. |
| "For nobody to have been alerted is quite remarkable. | "For nobody to have been alerted is quite remarkable. |
| "People need to be vigilant, and if they notice something that doesn't seem quite right, then they should call us straight away. | "People need to be vigilant, and if they notice something that doesn't seem quite right, then they should call us straight away. |
| "We would rather be making 20 checks per week resulting in one arrest, than not make any at all." | "We would rather be making 20 checks per week resulting in one arrest, than not make any at all." |