GAZETTE & HERALD: An 85-year-old widow says she and her neighbours feel they are living under siege following a string of thefts of flowers and pots from the front of their homes.

The woman, from the Redland area of Chippenham, who does not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said in the latest theft an ornamental fir tree given to her by her grandson had been taken.

"Not one person keeps flowers in pots out the front anymore. When I first moved here two years ago the flowers were beautiful," she said.

"It's awful to think you can't put things out in front of your house because it's not safe. It's very vexing."

The tree disappeared on Thursday night, and the elderly victim suspects, because it was heavy, someone collected it in a van and it might find its way to a car boot sale.

Over recent months a number of her pots and plants have gone missing, but previously they have been recovered further along the road and she suspected they were moved by youngsters.

But last year she and a neighbour came under attack from children as young as 11, who threw food at the windows. "They threw yoghurt, flour, eggs, tomatoes, satsumas and Brussels sprouts," she said.

"That was in the winter and we found out who it was and it was all sorted out. But now that's over, and we've got these thefts instead."

North Wiltshire district and Chippenham town councillor Nina Phillips has already spoken to the victim and wants to help other Redland residents.

She is trying to arrange a meeting with Westlea Housing Association, the police, the community safety officer and herself to find ways of tackling the problems.

Coun Phillips said Redland was dogged with anti-social behaviour problems, with cars suffering vandalism and skateboarding on the pavements.

"It is dreadful up there. It is affecting people's quality of life," she said.

"I would appeal to people to e-mail me with details of what's going on."

Residents can contact Coun Phillips at nphillips@northwilts.gov.uk

The widow's son-in-law said she was devastated by the loss of the tree.

"The loss of this gift has caused her unimaginable distress. Can the culprit begin to imagine what heartache this has caused? I can only assume that whoever carried out this despicable act does not have a grandmother of their own.

"As a result of this theft she cannot now place any plants and flowers under the porch for fear of the same thing happening again.

"The persecutors have won the day yet again."