Light fingered thieves stealing city's hanging baskets

Who's stealing all our flowers?


Lisburn's hanging baskets • over 50 have been stolen.	Chairman of Lisburn City Council's Environmental Services Committee, Councillor Andrew Ewing.

THE Chairman of Lisburn City Council's Environmental Services Committee has appealed to local people to help catch thieves who have been stealing hanging baskets in the city.

The light-fingered criminals have stolen over 50 of the city's hanging baskets in recent weeks. But the weight of the baskets and the numbers involved suggest it's not young people or vandals, but someone trying to sell them on.

And with each of the baskets, which are erected by the Council right across the city, thought to cost in the region of £28, the cost of the replacing them is likely to be well over £1,000.

Cllr Andrew Ewing said some of the baskets had even been stolen for a second time after being replaced by the Council.

"Each year the Council works with local communities to decorate villages throughout the City area with floral displays for the benefit of residents and visitors to these areas," said Mr. Ewing. "We condemn the actions of those individuals who have deliberately removed dozens of hanging baskets, which had recently been placed in villages across the area."

Mr. Ewing added: "Anyone with information about the missing hanging baskets can telephone the Council on 028 9267 3417.

"If you are offered the opportunity to purchase large pre-planted hanging baskets from an unusual source please contact either the Council on 028 9267 3417 or Lisburn Police on the non-emergency number 0845 600 8000," he concluded.

julieann.spence@ulsterstar.co.uk

Ulster Star
08/07/2011