Christmas 'wreath thief' targets Oldham street late at night

Neighbours Jessica Fletcher, Lynn Corless and Lisa Bodé who all live on Spring Lane in Lees claim they were each visited by a woman on November 29 at 3am who took off with their Christmas decorations.

None of the three mums reported the incident to the police but video footage of the 'thief' caught on a Ring doorbell camera shows the woman approaching a home before promptly ripping down a wreath from the front door.

The victims also said the woman came prepared with a carrier bag to haul her festive loot in, which they believe shows the act was premeditated and their homes were targeted.

Jessica, who had purchased a special wreath from L.A. Florist in Lees, said she was left "furious" and "disgusted" by the incident.

She said: "So much for Christmas spirit.

"I know it's only a wreath and people have had far worse things taken, but everyone's struggling this year.

"It's a tough year - no one needs this."

The mum told her five-year-old daughter that the wreath had blown away in the night when the youngster asked why it was suddenly missing.

She explained: "There's no way I could tell her it was stolen.

"Coming near anyone's home uninvited and at that time is scary and stealing things from your home is always a strange thing."

It is alleged the woman targeted three homes for their Christmas decorations (Image: Lynn Corless)

The mum said she believes the crime was premeditated as the woman "had a bag and knew how to rip them down".

Lynn, who had only had her wreath up for five days, also said she thought the act was "planned".

She added: "I just hope she doesn't come back.

"I was furious too - you work hard and someone takes your stuff.

"She even looked directly into the camera like she's got no shame at all.

"She was not giving up. She kept tugging at it until she got it.

"And it's scary because where does she stop?

"I'm not putting another wreath up due to this."

Lisa said she has lived on the street with her family for almost nine years and has never had anything like this happen before.

Jessica has had a new Christmas wreath gifted to her by L.A. Florist after the incident (Image: Jessica Fletcher)

But she claims the woman even stepped inside her porch to take a Father Christmas figure and Christmas sign that she had put out for a display only two days before.

Lisa said: "It wasn't much in value but it's the fact that it has been physically taken from our porch, that's the worrying thing.

"It is scary - and you make the effort to decorate your own house at Christmas to make it look nice and Christmassy and then something like this happens."

However, amidst the upset, Jessica said she was surprised by L.A. Florist who had put up a new wreath on her front door when she returned home from work.

She said: "I was very surprised when they delivered a new one.

"It nearly made me cry - it was very thoughtful.

"There is still hope that some of us are normal."