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| Sudbrooke mystery hedge cutter prompts police appeal | Sudbrooke mystery hedge cutter prompts police appeal |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A mystery hedge cutter operating under cover of night has prompted fears of a tussle over topiary in a leafy village. | A mystery hedge cutter operating under cover of night has prompted fears of a tussle over topiary in a leafy village. |
| The secretive shrubbery snipper has struck at least twice in the space of a week in Sudbrooke, Lincolnshire. | The secretive shrubbery snipper has struck at least twice in the space of a week in Sudbrooke, Lincolnshire. |
| Police, who suspect the root of the problem lies in a neighbourly dispute, urged the culprit not to take matters into their own hands. | Police, who suspect the root of the problem lies in a neighbourly dispute, urged the culprit not to take matters into their own hands. |
| "If there is a issue with the hedge it is only courteous to speak to the owner about the problem," they said. | "If there is a issue with the hedge it is only courteous to speak to the owner about the problem," they said. |
| It comes after a hedge on St Edwards Drive was cut down "during the hours of darkness". | It comes after a hedge on St Edwards Drive was cut down "during the hours of darkness". |
| 'Unacceptable behaviour' | 'Unacceptable behaviour' |
| Officers fear the issue could escalate into a "criminal matter" if the guerrilla gardener's gripes are allowed to fester. | Officers fear the issue could escalate into a "criminal matter" if the guerrilla gardener's gripes are allowed to fester. |
| PCSO Jacqueline Parker, of the neighbourhood policing team, said: "Cutting someone's hedge without permission is unacceptable behaviour." | PCSO Jacqueline Parker, of the neighbourhood policing team, said: "Cutting someone's hedge without permission is unacceptable behaviour." |
| Local authority West Lindsey District Council said there were no restrictions on height in its published advice on hedges. | Local authority West Lindsey District Council said there were no restrictions on height in its published advice on hedges. |
| However, it has powers to intervene if an agreement cannot be reached and the hedge is obstructive to light and of a minimum height | However, it has powers to intervene if an agreement cannot be reached and the hedge is obstructive to light and of a minimum height |
| 'Reassurance patrols' | 'Reassurance patrols' |
| A spokeswoman for Lincolnshire Police added: "The resident is clearly concerned about this issue. | A spokeswoman for Lincolnshire Police added: "The resident is clearly concerned about this issue. |
| "It is potentially a civil matter, but there are certain circumstances that could make it a criminal matter. | "It is potentially a civil matter, but there are certain circumstances that could make it a criminal matter. |
| "To disregard the feelings of the owner could escalate into a neighbourly dispute which we know in turn can lead to criminal offences." | "To disregard the feelings of the owner could escalate into a neighbourly dispute which we know in turn can lead to criminal offences." |
| The force said it would monitor the area over the coming weeks as part of its regular patrols to provide reassurance to residents. | The force said it would monitor the area over the coming weeks as part of its regular patrols to provide reassurance to residents. |
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