Bin thieves strike in Letchworth, one family loses four in six weeks

A spate of wheelie bin thefts has broken out in Letchworth GC with one resident losing four bins in six weeks.

So far this year 19 or more bins are believed to have been stolen from gardens or outside homes at a possible cost to environmental company Veolia of around �1,000.

And despite a search of the area by police and residents, who have lost bins, no trace of them has been found leading to the theory that they are being stolen and sold or used in crimes.

Victoria Mycroft, 24, of Glebe Road, has been the victim of a bin thief four times with one being taken despite it being chained to the fence in her front garden. The thief even took the rubbish out and left the bags neatly in the garden.

"I am baffled by what is happening," said the mother of two small children.

"It started over a month ago and I get worried when I ring Veolia up and tell them I have lost another bin.

"The last one went on Wednesday. When my husband Terry arrived home he asked where the bin was. I told him it was outside but he said it wasn't there.

"I couldn't believe we had been a victim for a fourth time. We have always had our house number on the bin but I have looked around and can never find them.

"A neighbour has also lost bins and I have been told 19 bins had been taken in our area alone but it could be more."

A spokesman for Veolia said: ""During the recent adverse weather conditions we did see a slight increase in the number of households reporting lost or stolen wheelie bins."

Police say they are investigating three incidents. Two wheelie bins vanished overnight of February 19/20 when lead was stolen from two houses in Broadwater Avenue, Letchworth GC. Another wheelie bin was stolen from behind a house in Spring Road in Letchworth GC, on the same night.

* A 44-year-old man from Hitchin was later arrested on suspicion of theft and bailed until April 8.