THIEVES who target attractive and expensive trees and plants have struck again in the Coleford area.
Three tree ferns valued at around £200 have been stolen from the garden of Mrs Betty Jones' house at Palmers Flat.
They were stolen during Sunday night. A neighbour has also had an attractive acer tree stolen while expensive bay trees were recently taken from the Wyndham Arms at Clearwell.
It is believed the plants are sold at car boot sales.
Mrs Jones said the tree ferns were difficult to grow and needed special care through the winter.
"They are natives of New Zealand. I treasured those plants and took great pride in them," she said.
"Unfortunately the street light outside my house was out on Sunday and I didn't hear or see a thing until I found the holes on Monday. The thief had obviously used a spade to remove them."