Sandstone slabs targeted

Thieves are repeatedly stripping sandstone slabs from a historic wall – totalling a length of more than 60 metres and worth an estimated £10,000, over the last year.

Sheena Hamilton reckons the raiders are stealing the heavy blocks of stone to order –and she is appealing for passers-by to keep their eyes peeled and report any suspicious activity near her mile-long wall to police.

Around 200 slabs, made from a special, weather-resistant sandstone and thought to be worth more than £50 each, have been stripped off the wall over the last 12 months.

"I think the thieves keep coming back as they get orders," said Sheena, aged 69, who together with her husband, 60-year-old Paul Burcher owns 78 acres, called The Demesne, straddling Wombourne and Himley.

The land is part of the Himley Park conservation area, next to Himley Hall, on Stourbridge Road, and the wall, which is architecturally listed, is thought to be about 200 years old.