Latest news with #MikeOwens
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Thieves target Bay of Plenty orchards for scrap metal
Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles Sheet metal from outbuildings and copperwires from frost fans are among some of the things being targeted by thieves for scrap metal amidst an increase on orchard thefts in Bay of Plenty. Te Puke police sergeant Mike Owens said since January they'd had close to 40 such burglaries, adding those were just the ones reported to police. "Items that get targeted are farm vehicles, equipment, tools, diesel from frost fans, other machinery, trailers, solar panels and of course the frost fans also have batteries attached to them as well." He said it was an unfortunately common experience for growers and farmers during the busy harvest season, when many might be travelling between sites or have additional people on-farm. Taking preventative measures was key to deterring these kind of thefts, he said. Things like storing equipment securely away or out of view. "Generally good locks, good security makes it more difficult. "Farmers and orchardists being lovely rural people will tend to leave keys in their vehicle or sheds and equipment unlocked." Owens said some frost fans had been rigged up with sensor lights and alarms which acted as a good deterrence. "I've seen footage where that has immediately deterred, obviously an alarms come one deterred the thief, and off they've gone again." Police recently executed search warrants and recovered a large number of items which they were in the process of returning to their owners. Owens said it was important for growers and farmers to report these kinds of incidents to police. He said it was also helpful to make note of any identifying features of items which might be targeted which might help with recovery efforts.
Rhyl Journal
25-04-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Sculpture in memory of 'much-loved' vet stolen
The wooden statue is dedicated to late vet Ian Sergeant, who was popular in the Caerwys community. He had worked at the Somerville Veterinary Practice since 1982 and also had clinics in Greenfield and Rhyl. Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, the sculpture, created by Mike Owens, was stolen from a field in which it stands in Caerwys. A Facebook post shared by resident Sandra Evans read: "This carved wooden sculpture of a hare was stolen over the weekend from a public place in Caerwys. It was put there as a memorial to a much loved local vet. "The community is angry and very sad that someone has thought it was OK to take it. It is heavy and would have taken more than one person to remove it, and also a large vehicle to transport it." Sandra said that the sculpture was later found by its original creator 'dumped' on the side of the road. She said: "The hare was found last night (Wednesday April 23) dumped and damaged on a back road from Pen y Cefn to Caerwys. Mike Owens, who carved the hare was the person who found it. "There was quite an outcry by Caerwys Community as the hare was a memorial to a much loved local vet." North Wales Police has confirmed that its enquiries are ongoing into the matter. A spokesperson said: "We received a report at 4.03pm yesterday (Wednesday) of the theft of a sculpture from a field in Caerwys between 2am on April 22nd and 8am on Wednesday 23rd. "Our enquiries are ongoing."
Leader Live
24-04-2025
- Leader Live
Community in Caerwys angered as hare sculpture stolen
The wooden statue is dedicated to late vet Ian Sergeant, who was popular in the Caerwys community. He had worked at the Somerville Veterinary Practice since 1982 and also had clinics in Greenfield and Rhyl. Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, the sculpture, created by Mike Owens, was stolen from a field in which it stands in Caerwys. A Facebook post shared by resident Sandra Evans read: "This carved wooden sculpture of a hare was stolen over the weekend from a public place in Caerwys. It was put there as a memorial to a much loved local vet. "The community is angry and very sad that someone has thought it was OK to take it. It is heavy and would have taken more than one person to remove it, and also a large vehicle to transport it." Sandra told the Leader that the sculpture was later found by its original creator 'dumped' on the side of the road. She said: "The hare was found last night (Wednesday April 23) dumped and damaged on a back road from Pen y Cefn to Caerwys. Mike Owens, who carved the hare was the person who found it. "There was quite an outcry by Caerwys Community as the hare was a memorial to a much loved local vet." TOP STORIES TODAY North Wales Police has confirmed that its enquiries are ongoing into the matter. A spokesperson said: "We received a report at 4.03pm yesterday (Wednesday) of the theft of a sculpture from a field in Caerwys between 2am on April 22nd and 8am on Wednesday 23rd. "Our enquiries are ongoing."
