Not in the Christmas spirit: Thieves steal festive decorations from homes near Dunmow

Residents in Flitch Green, near Great Dunmow, are facing a dark Christmas following a number of festive decoration thefts in the Essex village.

Seven incidents were reported between December 14 and December 17 - six in Flitch Green, and one further theft in Hatfield Broad Oak.

Thieves began by stealing four lighted reindeers from the front garden of a house in Tyler Avenue, Flitch Green overnight on December 14, leaving wires exposed at the property.

Two Christmas wreaths were removed from homes in Tanton Road and Canon Road, and four antique chimneys, valued at between £200-300, were also stolen from the front of a house in Fitzwalted Road in the village.

Three more reindeer decorations were taken from a property in Cannons Lane, Hatfield Broad Oak overnight on December 16, and another wreath was removed from the front door of a house in Baynard Avenue in Flitch Green the same night.

The thefts continued on December 17, when Christmas lights were cut and taken from a front garden hedge in Tanton Road, and thrown on to the road.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are appealing for any witness or anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious on the evenings in question.

“To steal Christmas decorations is bad enough, but some of the thefts included electrical items that left plugs open to the elements, which could have had serious consequences.”

Any information can be reported to police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.