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Presents stolen from garden shed
A SCARBOROUGH mum was left distraught after her daughters’ Christmas presents were stolen from the garden shed.
Stephanie Wilson, of St Leonard’s Crescent, was getting ready for work when she noticed that the shed door had blown open.
Mrs Wilson was horrified when she realised that all the presents for her twin daughters, Emily and Margaret, 11, had been taken.
The gifts, which were all wrapped, included two iPod shuffles, CDs, DVDs and make up. A laptop which had been bought for Christmas was thankfully left behind.
The 41 year old, who works at Wilkinsons, said: “I just thought ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?’
“I’d bought the things as I had the money and kept them in the shed so the girls wouldn’t see.
“The people that have done this must be sick. How can they ruin someone’s Christmas like this?”
Mrs Wilson added that she still had to break the news to her daughters, who were staying with their grandma in Leeds.
The theft was reported straight away to the police, who are now making investigations.
A spokesman from North Yorkshire Police said thieves are likely to have used a crowbar to force a padlock on the shed door.
The burglary happened overnight on Wednesday and was reported at 8.20am yesterday.
Police are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch on 0845 6060247.
The officer dealing with the case is PC 1913 Braidwood.
Police are also encouraging people to check and make sure their homes are secure, especially over the Christmas period.
They are advising people to ensure items of value are not left on show, for example near windows and doors, and stored away appropriately.
A spokesman said: “If you go out for the evening - make it look like someone is at home by turning on lights and the radio.
“Don’t leave curtains open so people can see your decorations as potential thieves can see in.
“Be extra careful about locking doors and windows. As a fire precaution, don’t leave Christmas lights on in the house whilst you are out.
“If you go away for the holiday period - use an automatic timer for lights and ask a trusted neighbour to watch your home.
“Genuine delivery personnel usually have uniforms and liveried vehicles and should not need to come into your home. Charity collectors will have identification with them.”
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Comments
There are 14 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
bakerchap
Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 11:07 PM.. It doesnt matter where the poor woman hid her familys Xmas presents .. The problem lies with the low life who stole them ... Leave her alone ...
shogun_showtime
Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 11:27 AMToo right #12
nocensorship
Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 11:05 AMGive the poor woman a break, it may have just been foolishness to hide the items in her shed, how many other people have a garden shed stuffed with thousands of pounds of power tools,bikes,garden equipment etc and don't think twice about leaving it there for safe keeping.
accountdetails
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 08:34 PMWorking Mum with 11 year old girls from Barrowcliffe and she gets the comments usually directed at those who make a living off the backs of others. What chance have decent folk got with the likes of you lot who must live in ivory towers.
BethMonks
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 08:27 PMI am utterly disappointed in the comments automatically thinking the worst of the VICTIMS. I myself on hearing this story, about the family being that the twins who when all said and done are the ones that are going to suffer spent my time trying to be positive and not let the thieves win, alongside some very kind others. To negatively comment only goes to support the actions of mindless scum who have no compassion at a time of goodwill and giving. Theft is Theft when all said and done whether it be from a shed or not. If you cant say any thing nice please do not say it all.
Bluebird One
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 08:17 PMIt's like the story of CHRISTMAS something gets lost along the way, just like presents from a garden shed?. People are quick to say why put gifts in a shed?. Our Lord was born in a stable, a bit like a shed, GOLD was one of the gifts given and not stolen so what's the difference?. This THEFT is NOT the fault of this Mum FULLSTOP, it was her garden shed and the culprit should be caught, and made to return to the scene of the crime to say sorry and also be made to return the things stolen how ever long it takes even if it means him or her buying new. Christmas is the season of GOODWILL and lets hope there is a good outcome to this, and the thief feels very guilty and does the right thing?.
butterfly2k2
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 07:30 PMAlso if the daughters wereare in Leeds they would need bloody good vision to see the gifts in the house never mind the shed!
Removed by moderator
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 05:26 PMGood job she took out insurance the day before the theft eh?
Scarborough resident
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 05:07 PMA very strange place to keep Christmas presents especially electrical ones.
LarcieD
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 03:21 PMIm sorry but i am with Butterfly2k2 on this - why the hell would you put xmas pressies in a garden shed?? And in all fairness, why did they just take the ipod shuffles....id have grabbed the laptop too.......fishy!!!
LarcieD
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 03:21 PMIm sorry but i am with Butterfly2k2 on this - why the hell would you put xmas pressies in a garden shed?? And in all fairness, why did they just take the ipod shuffles....id have grabbed the laptop too.......fishy!!!
Removed by moderator
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 02:30 PMSomething like this happens every Christmas. Sometimes things don't add up, although I'm prepared to stand corrected if receipts can be shown.
123inthearea
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 02:22 PMSomething does not ring true here.......and its a unfortunate scenario and if thieves have broken in and taken the items,well its a disgrace.Has the Police advised the homeowner to contact their Home Insurance Provider to provide assisstance to get the items in time for Xmas? I dropped my camera,and broke the view screen,my insurance provider went on price runner and found the lowest price for the camera,credited my account,less the excess £50.00 and i had a new camera in 36 hours.If the Unfortunate Homeowner or the Police formulate this solution,and credit the money back so the items can be purchased again in time for Christmas...I will cover the excess on the Insurance so no loss is sustained.If the Evening News contact me i will gladly help.
butterfly2k2
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 02:05 PMSorry .... but why would you leave a load of christmas presents in a garden shed????
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