A PENSIONER has been left devastated after his gnomes were pilfered by thieves.
Norman Tubb, 76, has been tending to the community gardens at Toronto Court in Southampton for eight years.
The keen gardener introduced various-sized gnomes to the green outside the sheltered housing in recent years – only for them to be stolen.
The most recent theft was at the end of October when his new Christmas gnomes were pinched.
'Disheartening'
He said: “The gnomes cost £60 each, and the small ones I used to have (before they were stolen) were £20 each.
“They have been stolen over the course of 2021 and 2022.
“I filled the Christmas gnomes up with sand and cement so nobody would take them, but they did.
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“I now only have four left.
“People come through here and say how nice the garden looks.
“One person even took some photos of the gnomes and flowers once, so it’s disheartening when people steal the gnomes.”
Cause for concern
Mr Tubb is calling for the council to improve crime deterrents in the area after claiming the building’s CCTV cameras were switched off earlier this year.
He said: “If the CCTV cameras had been on, then the footage could’ve been looked at. The police don’t want to know, and neither does the council.
“I imagine people steal the gnomes because they are short of cash and want some money.
“I would like them to be returned, but they have gone to somebody’s house already I suspect.”
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Neighbour Kevin Legg is concerned about the spate of thefts.
The 67-year-old said: “Norman got quite upset when he saw his gnomes were missing.
“We wrote to the council about the cameras earlier this year but they have been switched off for month now.
“It does concern me, especially as I keep seeing posts online about cars being broken into and bikes being stolen.”
'CCTV in operation'
Southampton City Council said the CCTV remains in operation.
A spokesperson said: “We are not aware of any recent incidents of theft being reported at Toronto Court.
“CCTV remains in operation at this location, but alleged crimes must be reported to Hampshire Constabulary and a crime reference number issued for us to legally view and share the footage.
“We therefore encourage council residents to contact the police and also speak with their Local Housing Office, Neighbourhood Warden or Housing Support Worker so incidents can be investigated properly.”
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