13768/3RESIDENTS of The Croft in Devizes are appealing for information after the theft of a bench from their communal garden.

The majority of the residents of the flats and bungalows are elderly.

The theft of the bench is one of numerous incidents of vandalism and criminal damage suffered by residents at The Croft.

The Croft is a private road but the residents say that numerous youngsters and teenagers use it as a short cut between Meadow Drive and London Road.

It is believed the garden bench was stolen overnight on July 16 and 17.

Jenny Kingsland, a resident at The Croft and co-chairman of the residents' management committee, said: "The theft of the bench is so pointless and petty that it makes me angry.

"It was a heavy bench and it must have taken at least two people to have carried it and they must have used a vehicle to take it away.

"It's probably been sold at a car boot sale. It was probably worth between £100 and £200 and was a proper hard wood bench and could sit three people comfortably."

Mrs Kingsland said there are two other benches in the grounds of The Croft which residents use but the third bench is sorely missed.

She said: "We have a beautiful garden that we can walk around and sit in. We haven't decided if we are going to replace the bench. Is it worth it because if we did replace it, would that be stolen?

"If we were to replace it the money would have to come out of the residents' amenity fund.

"Before the bench was stolen one of the other garden seats was being up-ended every single night for months on end.

Anyone with information about the theft can call police on (01380) 722141.