Scrap metal thieves take kids’ swing from Portsmouth garden
UNHAPPY Beryl Davis, left, with her grandson Jake Davis Brown and manager of the Community Spirit shop Lorraine Taynton. Picture: Sarah Standing (113434-6893)
NAN Beryl Davis has been left angry after scrap metal thieves took a children’s swing from her front garden.
The 70-year-old had planned to donate grandson Jake’s swing to Community Spirit in Copnor Road, Copnor, as he has outgrown it.
But it was stolen from outside the front of her home in Locarno Road, Copnor, before she had a chance.
Beryl had laid the frame flat on the ground, out of view of passers-by, and then headed straight to the community hub to ask someone to collect it.
When she returned two hours later, she discovered the metal frame had disappeared – but the plastic bucket seat was still on her doorstep.
It was only when she took the seat into the shop, thinking the organisation had forgotten it, that Beryl realised she had become the latest victim in a spate of metal thefts.
The grandmother said: ‘I was absolutely devastated when I realised what had happened.
‘I thought I was doing a good turn by donating it and now I feel like that’s been taken away from me.
‘Jake and my granddaughter Shazia both used it when they were younger and they had so much fun in it, but they’re too big for it now.
‘We all got a lot of enjoyment out of the swing and that’s why I wanted to pass it on to another family.’
Police confirmed they are treating the incident as a metal theft, and said there has been a rise in similar thefts across the area as the price of metal has increased.
Lorraine Taynton, founder of Community Spirit, said: ‘The amount of times I hear about this sort of thing happening is getting ridiculous.
‘That swing could’ve benefited a family on a low income but now it’s not benefiting anyone except the thieves and I’m so annoyed about that.
‘This shop is all about putting things back into the community at a low cost, and people have been asking me for garden toys ever since we opened.
‘And the first chance I have to give them something like that, it gets pinched.’
As well as selling donated goods, the organisation runs free community classes and workshops, from cross stitch to growing vegetables in the shop’s back garden.
The theft took place some time between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Monday, September 26. Call police on 101 if you can help.
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
CTR
Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 05:43 AM@11 - the drug infested underclass would steal the milk from their babies bottle!! They have no ethics or morals. If we locked up all heroin addicts then the crime rate would drop by 90%. Make then experience prolonged periods of 'cold turkey' as a punishment for the sorry and heartache they cause to decent people.
worldweary
Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 11:54 PMRegardless of whether this is a "metal theft" the end result is the same . Someone stole a child's swing. That is pretty low.
The Watcher....
Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 09:28 PMPedanticpat - do you seriously believe that because there are 'so many metal thefts going on' that that is sufficient evidence to suggest this is also a 'metal theft'? The CPS wouldn't even consider a prosecution on that assumption! You need solid, hard evidence - witnesses, forensic evidence etc. You really need to do some research on how the judicial system functions!!
Pedanticpat
Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 06:30 PMRe: 8. So many metal thefts going on it would be naive to think this was any different.
CTR
Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 02:59 PM@7 - I hope you are never called up for jury service if you consider that good enough evidence! As I said, there is no evidence whatsoever that the swing was taken by 'metal thieves'. Pure unfounded assumption.
Pedanticpat
Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 07:18 AMRe:Comment 6. They took all the metal, leaving the plastic. There's your evidence.
CTR
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 11:49 PMWhere is the evidence that the swing was stolen by 'scrap metal thieves'? This is a 'story' which is unfounded and completely made up by The NEWS in an attempt to make a story. No evidence whatsoever!
Dave120
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 08:16 PMYou only have to stand on a street corner in North end or fratton to see Scrap metal van drivers loitering around areas. It is a shame that there is a minority that are complete scum. In the past, I would stop them and pass on any excess metals I have accumulated...Not anymore!! There must be two or three vans that operate in the North end avenue area. I don't trust them one bit. Every one of them should be regulated. If there were spot checks on the burfield ind estate where they take there collections, I wonder how much stolen property would be recovered. low life thieves.
Sir JJ
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 05:38 PMI thought they were all metal!!!! Still, i bet they will be gone soon with the run up to bonfire night.
Tick Tock
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 11:24 AMSir JJ that's because they are wooden ! ;) How much are motorway barriers worth a piece ? I know where there's a few LOL
Sir JJ
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 11:13 AMIt's a wonder the goalposts in King Georges playing fields are still there. Is there anything the scum won't take??????
Tick Tock
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 10:06 AMWHEN WILL THERE BE A LAW MADE THAT ANYONE THAT TAKES SCRAP METAL IN HAS TO GIVE ID ETC ? THIS MAY HELP A LITTLE !
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