Cheeky thieves were let off the hook when a householder caught them trying to steal garden benches - but returned later to finish the job.

They were spotted by a Rawdon woman as she returned to her home in Highfield Drive with her three children.

One of the men approached the car and asked her to get out, but she refused. He told her to wind her window down and she asked his name which he gave as Paul.

He then asked if she would reverse out of her drive and let them go if they put the benches back.

She agreed - but they are believed to have returned later to steal an £800 Victorian iron and wooden bench and a £40 iron and wooden bench.

The incident was one of a series across Wharfedale and Aireborough when valuable Yorkshire Stone and garden equipment worth thousands of pounds have been taken.

Detective Steve O'Callaghan of Weetwood CID, Leeds, has issued an urgent call for vigilance saying it is the only way to combat the outbreak.

"If anyone sees anything suspicious please contact us. If you see a vehicle, try and get its registration number. If you see people who appear to be workmen, don't be frightened to challenge them or ring the police," he said.

"The people carrying out these thefts are obviously using a vehicle to move these stones and are happy to operate in daylight and park in people's driveways. It takes time to move these stones, and if people contact us, we can be there before they leave."

The Rawdon theft happened between 10.30am and 2.30pm on March 8 when the thieves returned in their blue C registered Vauxhall Astra to steal the benches.

The man who said he was called Paul is described as white, aged 16 to 19, 5ft 8in, slim build, scruffily dressed, wearing a silver earring and a blue puffer jacket. The second male is also described as 16 to 19 and very scruffy.

Other thefts include:

l Three square metres of Yorkshire Stone paving slabs taken from a patio in Carlton Lane, Guiseley, between 12.30pm and 5pm on March 5.

l Square coping stones worth £100 taken from a gate in Rawdon Road, Horsforth between 6pm and 10pm on February 21.

l Seven Yorkshire Stone paving slabs taken from Greenfield Lane, Guiseley, between 9.15am on March 6 and 8am the next day. The stones were worth £450.

l Six Yorkshire Stone paving slabs laid the same day from a front garden in Apperley Lane, Rawdon, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on March 3. Two more slabs were taken from the rear, worth £180 overall.

l Ten slabs worth £250 were taken from a rear garden on Micklefield Lane, Rawdon between 8.15am and 6.45pm on March 7.

l A £150 stone sundial was taken from a garden in Harrogate Road, Yeadon between February 12 and March 6.

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