An estate agent has been left enraged after fences and gates were stolen from one of his properties.
Paul Ainsworth-Lord, who manages Ainsworth Lord Lettings, said in the last few days a newly installed fence was stolen from one of the houses he manages, on Exeter Street in Blackburn.
According to Mr Ainsworth-Lord, it’s the second fence that’s been stolen in the last 18 months, and within that time three gates from the property have also been ripped off and taken.
Mr Ainsworth-Lord said: “It’s got so bad in parts of Blackburn now that our new fence on a house in Exeter Street was stolen.
“Bearing in mind the first new gate we put on the back of the property was stolen as well.
“What is going on? Are people needing the wood to burn because the cost of heating has gone up or what?
“This is the second fence that’s been stolen from that house and the third gate in the last 18 months – and the new one was only fitted about four weeks ago.”
Mr Ainsworth-Lord, whose main office is in Darwen, said he has reported the matters to the police, but is now thinking of offering a reward to anyone who can provide him with information.
He said: “This is the first time we’ve had incidents like this with fences going missing, we’ve never experienced this kind if damage before.
“The first time it happened someone was living in the house but this time we were getting it ready to be let again and we went round to do the inventory and the fence had gone.
“We’ve had issues with fly-tipping but this is just ridiculous. And people wonder why the cost of rent is going up when landlords have to keep fixing things like this.
“I will offer a £250 cash reward to anyone who can provide information which will lead to the conviction of these offenders.”
In 2019, the agency featured in an eight-part documentary on Channel 5 called ‘Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords’.
Anyone with information can contact the police on 101 quoting the crime reference number PE01732077CHHKB.
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