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Heavens-To-Betsy, it's a nighmare out there in the world!
Quote:Police issue urgent warning to homeowners who mysteriously find Christmas 'gnomes' in their gardenArchived Daily Mail Article:
-as force reveals there's a sinister motive behind them
North Wales Police released an image of a festive decoration as an example
Has this happened to you? Contact danya.bazaraa@mailonline.co.uk
'Police have issued an urgent warning to homeowners who mysteriously find a 'Christmas gnome' in their garden
amid fears of a sinister motive. Detectives have been receiving reports of people in the Broughton area of Wales
finding the ornaments with no explanation.
North Wales Police released an image of a festive decoration - but warned it could represent criminals' latest weapon to
target homes. Officers suggested it could be a trick by potential burglars to see if anyone is home or not. A spokesman
for the Flintshire North branch of the force said: 'We are aware of a report of individuals in the Broughton area leaving
Christmas gnomes in residential front gardens.
'This type of behaviour is sometimes used as a "calling card" to see if the gnome is collected by the resident.
'If not, the property is likely to be empty and could be an easy target for burglaries. 'We would advise residents to be
vigilant and ensure your home is secure.' North Wales Police shared a link to various bits of information and tips for
homeowners to keep their property safe and deter potential burglars.
The Gnome. The Clue. The Bastards!!
The force shared five top tips to abide by if you're going to be leaving your house unattended for a few days.
These included making sure social media posts about holidays aren't public and are only seen by friends.
Homeowners should also leave lights on and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied.
Homeowners are also urged to ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on the property as well as closing curtains
and parking on their drive.
Newspaper and milk deliveries should also be cancelled when not at home, the force said.
As part of the appeal, the local policing team urged anyone who witnesses anything suspicious to contact the force
via their website or through 101.
It comes amid speculation over 'the Da Pinchi code', an apparent tactic in which prospective burglars are said to draw
markings outside houses. For years, anxious homeowners have searched for signs of secret symbols daubed on their
streets amid fears thieves are using a series of code to mark properties worth targeting. The markings seen outside the
family's home in Sandwell, the West Midlands, raised suspicions it could be connected to thefts of their Audi, BMW
and Mercedes on August 9.
Now, one of the victims has warned people to be on guard, speaking to Birmingham Live last week, he said: 'We found
a suspicious mark on the tree outside of our house, I don't know if they used that to mark out our house or anything.
'We first noticed that about a week before, it was like they scratched off a load of bark, or burnt the tree slightly at the
bottom. It's directly outside the drive.'
Markings outside of homes have previously raised concern and in 2013 Devon and Cornwall Police shared an image of
signs people should look out for. Information included an 'X' which supposedly meant 'Good Target' and a flower-type
shape, with five circles, meaning 'wealthy'. Meanwhile a circled 'X' was thought to mean 'Nothing worth stealing' and
a 'D' meant 'Too risky'.
But, after investigation, West Mercia Police said that signs actually pointed to utility work planned by firms.
A police spokesperson said: 'We are aware of messages circulating again on social media purporting to be describing
the 'criminals code' of paint or chalk markings left outside properties, identifying future potential targets for thieves and
burglars.'
'However, there is no actual evidence to link these symbols to anything other than completely innocent and easily
explainable activities.' The various meanings include indicating power lines, flammable material, water, drains or
possible excavation routes. The said the five circles does not indicate a family is wealthy, but instead shows how
many cables are inside a cable duct.
However, one locksmith of Keytech locksmiths who previously worked as a contractor with Met Police explained
that some marks could have meaning. It comes after data this summer revealed that almost 600 burglaries are
going unsolved every day. Some 213,279 police investigations into break-ins were closed last year without a suspect
being identified, analysis of Home Office figures by the Liberal Democrats shows today...'
[From here on, the article becomes political]
Read The TV Guide, yer' don't need a TV.