Theft of English Heritage items could be a health hazard

Police in Dover are appealing for witnesses or any information that may help their investigation into the theft of English Heritage owned wooden floor blocks.

About 1,000 timber blocks went missing sometime between 23 February at midnight and 27 February at 11.15am from the north entrance of the Dover Western Heights tunnels.

The wooden cubes are about 6in long and, significantly, may be coated with an arsenic preservative which was a typical way of treating wood in the Victorian era.

Two suspects were seen on 27 February at 11am and one of them was a woman. She is described as in her 20s, about 5ft 2ins tall, medium build with black hair and a blue top. She was carrying a large rucksack.

Dover Community Safety Inspector Guy Thompson from Kent Police, said: "This is a heritage crime where these blocks are more than one hundred years old. It would have taken several trips to remove so many blocks so we're appealing to anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour in the area of Military Road over a period of time."

"Our main concern at the moment is to alert those who may come into contact with the flooring, that they could be a health hazard, especially if burned as fuel. Dealers, home renovators, collectors and the suspects themselves need to be aware of the potential danger."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police by calling 01843 222138, quoting crime reference ZY/6295/15. Alternatively, contact Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.