For Lanark householders have reported a spate of 'kidnappings' of the much-loved, traditional garden ornaments in the past month.

And the Gazette understands that these thefts might be the work of one gang, stealing the often expensive objects for re-sale to unwitting garden owners elsewhere in the county.

In fact, the gang were caught in the act one night by one brave Lanark pensioner who, despite her age, became a have-a-go hero.

The woman chased off one of the group of young gnomenappers, forcing him to leave her garden empty-handed.

The thefts so far to come to the Gazette's attention are
concentrated in the Kildare part of Lanark.

And elderly garden owners appear to be the special target. Of course, that age group are amongst the most likely to decorate their gardens with stone gnomes, cherubs, etc.

Margaret Robertson (75) of Kildare Drive was alerted in the early hours of the morning to the kidnappers.

She heard what she thought was three males, giggling and talking outside.

Margaret put on her nightgown and went out to see one thin young man, she thinks who was the worse for drink, trying to lift a heavy stone gnome out of her garden.

However, he dropped it when he saw he had been spotted and ran off.

Margaret also saw a car speeding away that night with three young men in it, which she believes might have been the transport for the gang.

Subsequently, Margaret has lost a much prized stone cherub — worth upwards of £70 — from her garden.

A near neighbour lost three gnomes and two solar-powered garden lights in one night and another neighbour no less than ten garden lights in the same evening.

She told the Gazette: "Stealing gnomes might not sound too serious to some folk but it is just theft, straight and simple."

Margaret said that she had reported her theft to the police but her neighbours, despite her urgings, had not.

Her friends feared that the police would not be interested or would be too busy to take action on the issue.

Certainly, when the Gazette contacted Lanark police last week, no trace could be made of Margaret's complaint being even logged, never mind acted on.

However, a police spokesman insisted that the force did take garden theft seriously and would act if it were reported.

The spokesman said that a help to them would be the public being more vigilant and taking care to note the numbers of cars roaming their areas suspiciously late at night.

Full descriptions of those seen in or near gardens late at night would also help police make arrests.

He also cautioned members of the public not to personally try to tackle the thieves if caught in the act.

The officer said he feared locals would be putting themselves in danger if they confronted the culprits.