Stone slab thieves target county

Valuable stone paving slabs are being targeted by thieves across a Surrey borough, police have warned.

There have been more than 20 reported thefts of York stone from properties in Waverley since August.

Surrey Police have warned residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious people or vehicles immediately.

The latest incident happened in Hambledon on Saturday, when 22 slabs worth £2,000 were taken from a bench and a bridge in a garden.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said the thieves dropped some of the stones and discarded the broken ones before making off.

'Difficult to identify'

Another 50 paving stones were stolen from a property in Snowdenham Lane, Bramley, overnight on Friday.

Thefts have been reported from Haslemere, Godalming, Cranleigh, Witley, Chiddingfold, Frensham, Tilford, Hindhead, Farnham and Wonersh.

Insp Simon Dann, of Waverley neighbourhood police, said: "These thefts have become a real problem in Waverley because York paving is an expensive commodity and is difficult to identify once it has been stolen.

"We are urging residents to cooperate by taking preventative measures to protect themselves against these thefts, as well as reporting any suspicious sightings to us immediately."

Insp Dann added: "We would also like to speak to anyone who is offered second-hand paving slabs, as they are obviously being sold on somewhere."