Reindeer theft (From Barry And District News)

Reindeer theft

A BARRY grandmother was horrified to discover Christmas decorations she had put up were stolen by thieves' just hours later.

Seventy-three-year-old Peggy McCarthy has been lighting up the outside of her home, and the lives of all her Treharne neighbours, for the last two decades.

And apart from a small incident last year when someone took a fancy to her star lights, she has never had a problem.

But just hours after putting up the riot of Barry Christmas cheer, a 48-inch reindeer was stolen.

The Cae Glass resident, who has 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, told the News: "I live in a bungalow and the reindeer was outside my bedroom.

On Saturday, November 23, two boys, about 14-years-old were stealing one of my Santas.

But my great-nephew Ben Sullivan spotted them, yelled and they ran away empty handed."

Later that night, the wires anchoring the reindeer to the power point inside the house were cut.

She added: "We always turn the lights off when we go to bed, and they must have stolen it just after.

"I was so upset. I always get Christmas decorations for my birthday, November 1.

Typically the reindeer was new this year. We're going to postcode everything now, and I'm even thinking of getting a security camera."

PC Simon Rees added: "It is very difficult, but wherever possible, ornaments should be secured.

"A UV pen should be used on the bass to mark your postcode. It is also very important that windows are not left open for cables to outside lights."