Officers try to root out thief who took trees

PERHAPS it is a case for special branch.

Police are hunting green- fingered thieves who made off with a dozen 4ft-high Leylandii shrubs after uprooting them from the grounds of an amateur football club.

The plants, worth a total of 240, disappeared from the home of Haddington Athletic Juniors Football Club, leaving club bosses bemused.

Club committee member Ian Ferguson said: "They were planted about a year ago and they had already grown to about twice their original size. If they had been allowed to grow, they could have reached as high as about 40ft, although we would have pruned them back a bit by then.

"They were put in essentially for decoration and they would have eventually come together to form a high hedge, giving us a natural barrier to prevent people coming to watch games for free.

"We expect to have some replacements planted in time for the start of next season.

"I have no idea why anyone would want to steal the plants. They were certainly taken away, as opposed to just ripped out of the ground and left, so it looks like they were stolen to order. Most of the people at the club are pretty teed off about it.

"The ground does tend to get used by some of the local kids for drinking and causing mischief, and we're always clearing up broken glass. Perhaps the thefts are an extension of this.

"The community police have been informed about this behaviour and they come by every now and again to make sure that nothing is going on.

"We've also got a few vigilant neighbours who will call the police whenever they see someone in the ground."

Police said 12 plants were stolen in total, with others left in their place. The theft happened between 4pm on Friday, 23 April and noon the following day.

A spokeswoman said: "Police are seeking information to identify the culprit or culprits responsible for this theft. It is believed that they will be local to the area and will have known the value of the items stolen.

"Police are appealing for any information which the public can provide in detaining the persons responsible."

The spokeswoman urged anyone with any information to contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.