A statue of a woman holding a pigeon was one item taken in a spate of thefts from gardens.

A concrete lion statue and dressed stone mushroom statue were stolen in another theft of ornaments and equipment, one of five in Shepway in just over a week.

Now police are asking homeowners to review their garden security.

The woman statue was taken from Harcourt Road, Folkestone, between 11am and 11.10am on Wednesday, February 27.

The lion and mushroom statues were stolen from the driveway of a property in the town’s Cherry Garden Avenue between February 25 and 27.

Meanwhile a 2ft tall concrete flowerpot with rosebuds around it was taken from Wood Avenue, Folkestone, between 9.30am and 11am on Tuesday, February 26.

A garden shed was broken into in Park Lane, Elham, between 7am on Sunday, March 3 and 9am on Monday, March 4.

Several items were taken including a Honda lawnmower and a leaf blower.
A ride-on lawnmower was also taken in Stelling Minnis during the same period.

A 36-year-old man from Folkestone was arrested and questioned following the spate and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Police now want to hear from anyone who has seen anything suspicious or been offered garden ornaments for sale in suspicious circumstances.

A Kent Police spokesman said: “With the lighter evenings and more spring-like weather opportunistic thieves will target gardens for valuable items such as furniture and tools, which they can sell on or use in other crime.”

Police advice to homeowners includes:
Maintain hedges and fences to prevent intruders entering your garden.

Store bins and ladders carefully so they can’t be used for climbing.
Keep tools and equipment somewhere secure after use so they don’t get stolen or used to break into your home.

Secure sheds and garages with suitable locks and consider fitting shed alarms and security lights.

Disable lawnmowers and other large machinery when not in use and chain items together or to a solid anchor point.

Security mark valuable items, taking photographs and recording details such as serial numbers and identifying marks.

Register valuables on a property database such as www.immobilise.com.
For further information visit www.kent.police.uk/advice/property_security/property/garden_shed.html.