Bradford police make plea to public after Low Moor theft of stone (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford police make plea to public after Low Moor theft of stone

5:00pm Sunday 9th September 2012 in News By Steve Wright, Crime Reporter

Police are asking the local community to help them find stone thieves after a spate of incidents in the Low Moor area of Bradford.

The problem has been highlighted by the theft of half a dozen Yorkshire stone flags from a public footpath running through the former Methodist graveyard in Wesley Place.

The graveyard, which was sold to Bradford Council three decades ago, is now largely derelict but is still used by the public as a route between First Street and Chapel Road.

A number of the Yorkshire stone flags have been removed from the footpath in the past two weeks after they were exposed during a clear-up of the area.

Sergeant John Metcalfe, of the Tong and Wyke Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into making this area look attractive and it is extremely disappointing to see that some individuals are prepared to destroy the environment at the expense of local people.

“We have recently experienced a number of stone thefts in the Low Moor area and we are currently focusing resources upon this and offering crime prevention advice.

“Central to this, however, is the local community, who can help us find those responsible by telling us if they have seen any suspicious behaviour in the area or have any information which could benefit our inquiries.

“Because of its very nature, stone is very difficult to trace, but there are other ways to identify the offenders.

“Vehicles, for instance, are usually used to remove the stone due to its weight and people can assist us by noting down the registration number of those they believe are involved.

“Stone merchants could also be approached to sell on stolen items and we need to know if they have been offered any goods, particularly under unusual circumstances.

“People can contact us on the non-emergency number 101 or via Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.”

David Elcock, Bradford Council’s acting area parks and landscapes manager, said: “During the course of the clearance work, thieves lifted and stole some of the flags on the site and the Council is now looking at how to re-instate the footpath before completing the clearance work.”