This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y0w1q8zrxo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
West Country towns 'baffled' by welcome sign swaps West Country towns 'baffled' by welcome sign swaps
(1 day later)
Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire has had its sign replaced with one from Dorset Rogue road signs appear in Bradford-on-Avon
A number of "welcome" road signs have been swapped or replaced with ones belonging to other towns and villages across the West Country.A number of "welcome" road signs have been swapped or replaced with ones belonging to other towns and villages across the West Country.
Four signs are confirmed to have reappeared in different areas, with those from Camerton, near Bath, Somerset, and the Jurassic Coast, in Dorset, appearing in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, in the past week.Four signs are confirmed to have reappeared in different areas, with those from Camerton, near Bath, Somerset, and the Jurassic Coast, in Dorset, appearing in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, in the past week.
Meanwhile, the sign for Bradford-on-Avon has been found on Portland, Dorset, more than 60 miles (97km) away, and a sign belonging to Waterlip, Somerset, has popped up in nearby Midsomer Norton.Meanwhile, the sign for Bradford-on-Avon has been found on Portland, Dorset, more than 60 miles (97km) away, and a sign belonging to Waterlip, Somerset, has popped up in nearby Midsomer Norton.
Bradford-on-Avon Town Council said it was believed to be "a prank". Bath & North East Somerset Council (BANES) contacted police and said it was "baffled" by the swaps.Bradford-on-Avon Town Council said it was believed to be "a prank". Bath & North East Somerset Council (BANES) contacted police and said it was "baffled" by the swaps.
Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire has had its sign replaced with one from Dorset
It asked anyone who had spotted incorrect signs in the area to report them.It asked anyone who had spotted incorrect signs in the area to report them.
The BBC has contacted Wiltshire Police and Dorset Council for comment.
Rather than placing the stolen signs in front of the existing ones, it appears thieves have been removing and then swapping them with different locations.Rather than placing the stolen signs in front of the existing ones, it appears thieves have been removing and then swapping them with different locations.
In a statement, Bradford-on-Avon Town Council said it believed its sign had been swapped with Camerton's on Thursday.In a statement, Bradford-on-Avon Town Council said it believed its sign had been swapped with Camerton's on Thursday.
The sign switching has affected communities including Waterlip in SomersetThe sign switching has affected communities including Waterlip in Somerset
It added: "The Jurassic Coast sign was exchanged for ours over the weekend, though we're not sure exactly when.It added: "The Jurassic Coast sign was exchanged for ours over the weekend, though we're not sure exactly when.
"We believe this is a prank, but we're aware that BANES has contacted the police, as similar incidents have been reported across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset.""We believe this is a prank, but we're aware that BANES has contacted the police, as similar incidents have been reported across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset."
Wiltshire Council and Somerset Council confirmed they were aware of the thefts and were working to bring their signs back, or to organise replacements. Wiltshire Council, Dorset Council and Somerset Council confirmed they were aware of the thefts and were working to bring their signs back, or to organise replacements.
Wiltshire Council's corporate director, Parvis Khansari, said the matter "was an unnecessary use of both time and money that could be better spent on providing a service to the public".Wiltshire Council's corporate director, Parvis Khansari, said the matter "was an unnecessary use of both time and money that could be better spent on providing a service to the public".
He added the council had reported "all instances of this sign swapping to the police".He added the council had reported "all instances of this sign swapping to the police".
Somerset Council referred to the acts as "criminal damage" and also urged residents to report anything suspicious to police.Somerset Council referred to the acts as "criminal damage" and also urged residents to report anything suspicious to police.
Dorset Council described the incident as "a regrettable misuse of valuable time and resources, which could be better allocated to serving the community".
Wiltshire Police said it had not been contacted about the theft of the Bradford-on-Avon sign and no investigation had therefore been launched.
Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.