Phantom gnome pincher strikes in Angus.

Crime: Police warning after 37 figures stolen from garden in Arbroath

Police are hunting for 37 garden gnomes that have gone missing in Arbroath.

The figures, described as “small and your usual gardening type”, vanished from the front garden of a house on Brechin Road.

Police said the owner, an elderly lady, was upset by the theft and warned they were treating the crime very seriously.

“If someone has taken them as a prank or because they think it’s funny, we can assure them that it is not,” said a spokesman.

Anyone with information on the theft, which happened sometime between April 23 and 30, or the whereabouts of the figures, is being urged to come forward.

Some of the gnomes were clutching gardening tools.

Their cash value has been put at less than £100 but police said the financial aspect of the crime paled in comparison to the distress suffered by the victim.

“Although they are of little monetary value, their owner is an elderly lady who is understandably upset at being the victim of this theft,” the spokesman added.

Arbroath East and Lunan Conservative councillor Derek Wann said: “Any theft is appalling but to steal from the garden of an elderly lady is absolutely appalling.

“It must have taken some time to move so many items and this must increase the likelihood that someone saw them being taken.

“It may be that they were taken either as some kind of unfortunate joke, or someone foolishly thinks they may be able to sell them on, but either way, this is unacceptable.

“I would urge the person or persons involved to reflect on their actions and the impact this theft has had on this elderly lady, and return the items either to her garden, or arrange to have them passed on to me, and I will ensure they get home.”

This is not the first time garden gnomes have gone missing in the Arbroath area. In 2016, five figures were placed on the statue of Robert the Bruce in the town, with four of them believed to have been stolen from a garden in Friockheim.

The gnomes spent a night in the cells after being handed in to the police by council staff.

In neighbouring Aberdeenshire in 2014, three men were questioned by police after officers found 33 gnomes and other garden ornaments, including a statue of Oor Wullie, during a search.

Picture: Kim Cessford. PC Stephen Mulheron and Lamont Forbes with the gnomes which were found after being stolen from a garden in Friockheim in 2016.