Angler left reeling by rod thefts (From Chard & Ilminster News)
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Angler left reeling by rod thefts
8:28am Friday 8th December 2006 in Chard By Matthew Colledge
JOHN Coxon with his wellies and a trolley used to transport fishing equipment, the only things spared by the thieves.
A CHARD angler was left feeling "pig sick" after thieves broke into his garage and stole his fishing rods last week.
John Coxon, 69, lost six rods and a holdall containing a fishing pole, an umbrella and other accessories in the burglary on November 26.
The items are worth thousands of pounds and John is unsure whether they are covered by his home insurance as his garage is separate from his house in Thorndun Park Drive.
John said: "I feel absolutely pig sick. I will never forget November 26 as long as I live."
John had only left his house for a few hours to go to a pub quiz at the Lordleaze Hotel.
When he returned at 11.15 pm he saw his gate was open and immediately feared the worst.
He said: "The first thing I looked for was my fishing rods.
"Somebody had broken in through the back door of the garage and escaped through the front door."
John, a member of angling clubs in Chard and Ilminster, regularly goes fishing at Chard Reservoir, and the thefts came during the peak angling season when he would normally take part in competitions every week.
He said: "If whoever stole them had said 'I want to go fishing - can I borrow one of your rods?' I'd have agreed to that.
"When I was a kid you never dreamt of stealing anything."
John said he had been able to borrow a fishing pole and a rod thanks to a friend from Tatworth.
"I still have all the floats and reels," he said.
"I don't like borrowing things."
Sgt Andy Kingston, of Chard police, said thefts from garages were a continuing problem in the Chard and Ilminster area.
He said: "I'd be very keen for people to secure their property, and make sure it's marked and identifiable.
"We want to make it as difficult as possible for people to commit these offences."
Sgt Kingston said in another recent incident gardening equipment was stolen from a property in Coronation Street, Chard.
Anybody with information about these offences should call Crimestoppers on 0800-555111 or Chard police station on 0845-4567000.
