Couple, in Livingstone Road, Gravesend left heartbroken as Christmas display is ruined by thieves for a third time
11:12, 24 December 2019
updated: 12:14, 24 December 2019
A dedicated Christmas couple has been left heartbroken after their festive light display was attacked by thieves and vandals.
Gemma Dicken, 33, and David Canfield, 43, live in Livingstone Road, Gravesend, and have had their decorations targeted on three occasions.
CCTV shows thieves stealing decorations
The lights have been up since November 21 and have been stolen or damaged on Friday, November 29, Monday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 18.
Damage included several acrylic collectable icicles ripped from their position, a polar bear decoration with its wires cut was stolen, and others were taken and dumped near a neighbour's house.
David Canfield said: "It just feels like we're being targeted.
"It's a bit like, why us? If we're still here next year I don't know if we'll bother again.
"We're Christmas fans and we do all his hard work, and the decorations aren't cheap.
"It's just such a shame and I don't understand why these people do it."
Gemma and David are both on the autistic spectrum and decorate their house with Christmas lights as it makes them happy during the Christmas period.
The couple even has a dedicated facebook page for their lights called DAVID AND GEMMA 2019 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.
Their goal for this year was 15,000 lights but they managed to display an incredible 17,000.
Gemma and David reported the incidents and removed their acrylic decorations, leaving a more basic display in hopes of preventing more theft and damage
David continued: "We have CCTV, and is clearly labelled.
"You'd think it would act as a deterrent, but they don't care.
"You can't see who it is either because they have their hoods up."
Kent Police stated: "Kent Police has received reports of theft and criminal damage to Christmas lights outside a property in Livingstone Road, Gravesend.
"Enquiries into the incidents are ongoing."
The couple has been allocated a police officer and their CCTV footage has been downloaded.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01474 366149 quoting reference 46/240187/19.
Or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or by using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org
