Suffolk Police have not ruled out a possible link between the thefts.

A garden gnome, four dog statues and an ornamental elephant have all been stolen from gardens in the Beccles and Worlingham area.

The ornaments have been stolen from four different addresses, with the gnome, three dogs and an elephant all taken overnight in the space of two days.

A garden gnome and two stone ornaments in the shape of dogs were stolen from the front garden of a home at Samford Court, Worlingham, between 9.15pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday.

A bench seat was also stolen but this was found on Worlingham park behind the primary school.

In a similar incident a concrete elephant ornament was stolen from the front garden of a home at Stuart Drive, in Beccles, between 2pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.

Reports of this come after a concrete dog statue was taken from the front garden of a home in Coney Hill, Beccles, the previous evening.

The 2ft high black Labrador concrete statue was taken between 7pm on Friday and 10.30am on Saturday.

A white Old English Sheepdog statue was also taken from the front garden at a home in Bluebell Way, Worlingham, between 7pm on Thursday, September 13 and 8am on Friday, September 14.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said they were keeping an open mind at the possibility of the crimes being linked and appealed for people to come forward with information.

“Some people might think it is amusing but there has been quite considerable distress for some older residents,” she said.

Anyone with information about who took the ornaments or where they are now should call the Beccles and Bungay Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101.