Artful plan to battle metal thieves at nature reserve
Date of alert:
Friday, 19 May 2023
Crime Ref:
Force:
Kent Police
If metal thieves thought countryside gates were an easy target, they’d overlooked one thing – The Gate Appreciation Society and its 120,000 strong army of members.
As niche as it might sound, the group boasts a committed membership, which mobilised to take action following a number high value thefts at Nashenden Down nature reserve near Rochester.
One such incident saw a sheep handling system, worth thousands of pounds, stolen leaving the reserve’s 200 grazing animals at risk - but now Kent Wildlife Trust has teamed up with members of Facbeook group The Gate Appreciation Society to prevent further thefts.
Volunteers spent the day painting gates at Nashenden Down in bright purples, pinks, yellows and greens, using a special paint which is difficult to remove and reduces the ability to resell after theft.
