Couple surprised by theft of 43 bushes from their garden

Thieves have stolen 43 bushes planted in a front garden, leaving a couple who own the property somewhat surprised. Chris Mizen and his wife, Judy, paid £3,900 to have 73 Laurel bushes planted in the garden of their home in Fleet, Hampshire.



Mr Mizen and his wife have vacated their home at the junction while extensive work is carried out, but hope to be back in by November. Steve Bollen Landscape Gardening planted the 73 Laurel bushes on Saturday to create a hedge along the border of their property.



Mr Mizen, 52, said the bushes were between 1.75 metres and 2m in height, and took three men most of the day to plant, including the installation of underground irrigation. Prior to this, trenches were dug, which took two men two days to dig. “At some point during Sunday night, 43 of the bushes were pulled up and taken,” said Mr Mizen.



“Steve Bollen told me that on the Saturday, many people stopped to tell him how much nicer it made that whole area look, and subsequently a few people have expressed their sadness at the theft. This is a busy main road and we feel someone must have seen something as it wasn’t a small operation.” Anyone with information about the bushes should call Hampshire Constabulary.