Hanging flower basket in Belsize stolen by thief

A callous thief stole a hanging basket of flowers paid for by the community in Belsize Village.

The �60 basket of pansies and trailing ivy had just been hung on a lamppost in Belsize Terrace when it was snatched last week - to the fury of shopkeepers in the area.

It is one of 12 baskets that decorate the village and are paid for by local businesses, who also fund the Christmas lights.

Angela King, of Heywoods estate agents, who helps to organise the hanging baskets, said: “We put up the flower baskets in the village and we don’t get any funding from Camden Council so this is very frustrating.

“These are our third lot of flowers, but we have never had a problem before.”

She is appealing for the return of the yellow metal basket and the flowers.

The theft has not been reported to the police.