THIEVES have stolen a litter bin from the same town centre location on two occasions in recent weeks.

Members of Chard Town Council’s Guildhall and amenities committee heard last week that the authority had spent more than £1,000 on replacing a litter bin in Fore Street three times.

Councillors heard that the bin – which cost £350 a time – near to the Co-op store was initially smashed up by vandals.

But no sooner had it been replaced, and the new replacement bin was then stolen.

Another new bin was bought and installed but – guess what – that was stolen by thieves as well.

The council’s operations manager, Ed Ringwood, said that more than £1,000 had been spent on litter bins and they had gone.

“People are ripping them out and taking them away,” he told councillors.

It was suggested by councillors that a CCTV camera or some sort of webcam system could either deter further vandalism and theft or to help identify any future culprits in the event of future incidents.

Anyone with information about theft the litter bins can contact Chard Town Council on 01460-239567 or speak to police on 101.