A COMMUNITY group that makes Knutsford bloomin’ glorious has hit out thieves who have stolen plants from the front of the station – and the antlers from Elvis the deer for the second time in six months.

Knutsford in Bloom has been left reeling after plants were stolen from beds near the town’s train station ticket office and the antlers from the deer statue were taken for the second time – after being taken the first time around in January.

Knutsford Police are seeking information following the theft of the set of antlers from Elvis on the Knutsford central roundabout opposite Canute Square on the A50.

Officers believe the antlers were removed from the statue sometime between 6pm on June 26 and 12pm on June 27.

And Christine Skinner, a volunteer with Knutsford in Bloom, told the Guardian that some of the plants were stolen just hours after she had replaced them after she first noticed they had gone missing.

She added if anyone sees anyone stealing the plants then let staff at the station know or call the police.

“We know that we have occasional incidents of vandalism but these plants, on three separate days, have been carefully lifted along with the soil with the deliberate intention of reusing them,” she said.

“It follows the theft of poor old Elvis’ antlers again and it is very disheartening for us and also an extra expense from our Knutsford Town Council grant.

“We do the work because we like to see the lovely flower displays around the town and from all the thankful comments we hear from passer-by’s, so do everyone else.

“This came at a key time in our calendar with North West in Bloom judging the town last Thursday, July 10. Two further competitions involving the station have been entered and will be judged in the next few weeks.

“We know we have to battle with the slugs but they don’t know any better – the person or persons stealing these plants should.”

PC Felicity Lawson, from Knutsford Police, added: “This kind of criminal damage has an effect on communities, impacting on people’s ability to feel safe in the areas that they live in."

If anyone has any information which could assist police in their enquiries they are asked to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 0714187686. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.