DETERMINED thieves have smashed and sawed their way through concrete and metal to steal three newly-installed benches from Skipton's Aireville Park.

The calculated theft has angered Craven District Council, which only last year spent a small fortune restoring the park's furniture and lighting to its Victorian glory.

Now the remaining ornate, wrought-iron benches dotted around the park have had to be welded into the ground to prevent further thefts.

Coun Marcia Turner, whose ward covers Aireville Park, is furious that the best efforts of the local authority are being undermined by an organised gang of thieves.

She said: 'The only small mercy is that a bench which a widow dedicated to her late husband has been left in place.

'I can't believe that the thieves have actually cut through the threads of the bolts holding the benches into the ground. It's so upsetting because we have spent all this money making the park a pleasant place to be.

'These benches weren't cheap. They were lovely ornate seats with 1998 moulded into the sides.

'I would urge anyone who knows anything about this theft to go straight to the police.'

One of the benches, worth £2,400 in total, was stolen on New Year's Day, with the remaining two disappearing from the canal entrance a week last Wednesday.

All information should be directed to Skipton Police crimedesk on (01756) 793377 or Crimestoppers (0800) 555111.

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