Stone flag thieves

[Accyexplorer]

Originally Posted by Retlaw

We have now found the flags that went missing, they were leaning against a wall 2 backs away, got a strong neighbour to bring them back, & then cracked them with a sledge hammer. They still do the job they were intended to do but are no longer of any value.

I use to crack flags in my garden to stop them wobbling,it does the job, but not as easy on the eye as un-cracked ones.
I've seen churches that have had to resort to using spray paint to mark their flags,stonework....sad really,it totally spoils the aesthetics

[Aussie Irene]

Originally Posted by Accyexplorer

I don't know about The Lord either R , call me naive, but where/how would one "research" such info?
Even if there is such a place, the flags could of been lifted an sold years ago.

Would a thief break into a house on the off chance of flags being under a ash felt floor? surely not, am I underestimating the greed/stupidity of the crooks today??

Sixty years ago it was common practice that many stone terraced houses that were being renovated would have the flag floors covered with asphalt. This was done for various reasons. One of the main reasons as Less says, was dampness. Another, was when flags were uneven they used to cut the linolium. A type of felt was placed over the flags and then covered with about 15-20mm of aspalt. The two most popular colours were a reddish brown and black. A firm from Blackburn used to specialise in this work and were in big demand, although it was pretty expensive. My hubby does not remember anyone from the Accrington area doing it. So i would imagine that anyone who is getting on in years may remember this being done, and could be the mastermind to flag stealing, but i would of thought there are a lot of easier ways to make a living.

[Accyexplorer]

Seems our underfunded,overstretched police service have a problem on their hands.

Last year it was mainly copper wire,cable and metal theft,this year it's stonework (mostly flags) what's it going to be next year? Pet Dogs (seems to be a growing problem)??

I always wondered how someone not working was able to afford a new transit van and a fancy caravan.

[maxthecollie]

A friend of mine has just posted on facebook that two men with a pickup truck are cutting stone flags up at the back of her house with a grinder , no p.p.e.. She rang the police only to be told that they wont send a patrol just in case they are legit. They will pass it on to the p.c.s.o.'s

[cmonstanley]

about reporting to the police why not report the crime. just means people will say crime is down