A TREE was stolen from a front garden in Chigwell, after police reported an increase in thefts of plants and hanging baskets.
The five foot bay tree was taken from a property on the high road between May 14 and 15.
It was one in a series of thefts from front gardens during the past week, including two Cyprus trees from Smarts Lane, Loughton and two six foot shrubs from Grove Lane, Chigwell.
Crime Reduction Officer Tony Ellis warned that this type of crime is on the increase.
He added: "Over the past week or so we have noticed an increase in the theft of large pot plants and hanging baskets from private houses throughout the Epping Forest District.
"It has been reported, that thieves arrive at houses in transit style vehicles to steal pots and plants from gardens. It's all over in a few seconds."
He advised people to keep large pot plants or hanging baskets out of sight in back gardens.
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