Vandals pull half-ton anchor from Cleethorpes flower bed
VANDALS pulled a half-ton ship's anchor from an award-winning display in an apparent bid to sell it on for scrap.
The police have launched an investigation after the 100-year-old sailing boat anchor was removed from the Good Ship Lollipop flower bed on Cleethorpes seafront and dragged about 20m before being abandoned.
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Pulled up: Borge Nejrup with the half-ton anchor that was removed from the Good Ship Lollipop flowerbed in Cleethorpes. Right: pointing to the spot where the anchor used to lay. Picture: Duncan Young
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Flashback: Owner of the Lollipop Express road train Borge Nejrup being presenting the East Midlands In Bloom Judges prize for 2009 by Cleethorpes In Bloom chairman Bob Callison and vice-chairman Jeff Blanchard. Borge created this display from recycled materials and the anchor can be seen in place in the background.
The anchor weighs more than half a ton and was firmly concreted into the bed. Owner Borge Nejrup believes it must have taken four strong men to remove it.
He believes they were trying to steal it to sell on for scrap, but gave up when they could not lift the heavy object into their get-away vehicle.
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He is devastated at the damage to the display, which won him Cleethorpes In Bloom Business of the Year Award last year.
Mr Nejrup owns the Lollipop Express road train on Cleethorpes seafront, and the flowerbed, made from recycled materials, is part of the attraction.
He said: "We did this to help make Cleethorpes look beautiful and to give something back to the resort; it is absolutely devastating.
"If it was just a bunch of vandals they would have pulled up the flowers – this looks like it was planned.
"They must have pulled it out using a vehicle and then dragged it across the ground. Who would want to ruin this display for the sake of a few quid? It makes no sense."
The incident happened overnight on Friday, as the Lollipop Express returned to the resort following a winter break.
There is a security camera nearby, but it points in the direction of the leisure centre, which stands in front of the display, so no images were captured.
Mr Nejrup said: "It couldn't have happened at a worse time. I have been trying to get everything ready for the train's first ride and now this.
"But I am happy they didn't manage to steal it completely."
He contacted Bob Callison, his friend and the chairman of Cleethorpes In Bloom, who arrived with his van to return the anchor to its rightful place.
Mr Nejrup added: "Nothing like this has ever happened before. When we first put the anchor there six years ago, I was worried someone would come along and vandalise it. They have proved me right."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Humberside Police on 101, quoting crime reference number AE/1958074/2013.
8 Comments
by Beagleyes
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 3:14PM
“Silly question really ......
Any CCTV footage avalible ?”
by GerrySixties
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 2:19PM
“A better use for this anchor would be to chain it to those responsible for removing it. Like the anchor they wouldn't get very far.”
by johnvcusick
Monday, February 18 2013, 10:42PM
“By lot of negatives reding these pages.
I was taught if you have no better suggestion don't criisize the other persons comments !”
by THEAPPLE
Monday, February 18 2013, 12:32PM
“anchors .......wait for it ......wait...AWAY”
by johnvcusick
Monday, February 18 2013, 11:47AM
“Time to bring back flogging stocks and hanging it would certainly reduce the crime figures !”
by GyMonkey
Monday, February 18 2013, 9:27AM
“Hang on ..... If this WAS scrappers it would be gone as simple as that..... scrappers have a bad reputation and for some of them that is deservedly so...but as a working man who deals with lifting heavy loads often I know that IF 4 men wanted this anchor it is very easily possible.... more than likely drunken kids with nothing better to do and a disposition to break stuff .....”
by Keelbywhite
Monday, February 18 2013, 9:17AM
“Like I said on the original story - probably the "Fat Controller's" anti floral storm troopers - they have vandalised all the other attempts to make the town look like a seaside resort!!”
by justsaying
Monday, February 18 2013, 9:01AM
“Get the Labour gang run by Burnett and Shaw in for questioning - they have form for vandalising floral displays in Cleethorpes!”