Post by kay on Nov 13, 2011 2:01:59 GMT -5
Compost Cops
Police mistake compost bins for thieves and end up with egg on their faces
By Beth Jones
For the police who smashed their way into a garden in search of two fugitives, it was not just a case of egg on their faces, but potato peelings, banana skins and coffee grounds too.
Mistaking two 3ft compost bins for thieves on the run, officers forced their way into the garden and caused almost £700 worth of damage.
Thermal-imaging equipment on board a police helicopter had told them that two heat sources in the undergrowth of a garden in south London were their suspected car thieves.
But once officers had traversed the trampolines and toys, all they uncovered were two steaming piles of rotting vegetable peelings.
"It was a complete joke," said Piers Smith, 41, a father of four and the owner of the house and garden in Furzedown.
Police mistake compost bins for thieves and end up with egg on their faces
By Beth Jones
For the police who smashed their way into a garden in search of two fugitives, it was not just a case of egg on their faces, but potato peelings, banana skins and coffee grounds too.
Mistaking two 3ft compost bins for thieves on the run, officers forced their way into the garden and caused almost £700 worth of damage.
Thermal-imaging equipment on board a police helicopter had told them that two heat sources in the undergrowth of a garden in south London were their suspected car thieves.
But once officers had traversed the trampolines and toys, all they uncovered were two steaming piles of rotting vegetable peelings.
"It was a complete joke," said Piers Smith, 41, a father of four and the owner of the house and garden in Furzedown.
