A green-fingered thief has been helping him or herself to newly-planted flowers in Penrith town centre.
To give the town a shot of colour this summer, a number of planters made by Richardsons were filled with beautiful blooms.
But there are reports this week that a total of around 10 plants have suddenly gone missing less than a week after being put in.
They were delicately removed, leaving behind what could be a tell-tale trowel mark. And with no evidence of the plants being uprooted and slung around the streets by vandals, the suspicion has fallen on to a green-fingered thief wanting the plants for themself.
Designed to boost the look of the town centre, the floral planters were only filled last week with staff contracted by The Pot Place, Plumpton.
The project was a link-up with Penrith Business Improvement District, which has installed a total of around 26 planters across the town centre, from New Squares to the bus station, to give the area a lift.
Karen Radcliffe, who runs Caffeine Rush in the town centre, said it looked like someone who knew what they were doing had carefully removed them.
Karen said: “They’re really lovely and really nice. First the orange ones disappeared and now the purple ones.
“Someone’s garden is going to be looking nice, but I think it’s disgusting; whoever’s doing it should go and buy their own.”
Penrith businessman Dan Harding, vice-chair of Penrith BID, said: “Unfortunately there’s some strange people out there and nothing nice can ever be left for long in the town centre.
“It happens at Christmas with people breaking the lights.”
Mr Harding and others now plan to monitor the situation to see what has been taken and what, if anything, can be replaced.
