THIEVES stole fence panels from a couple’s garden — leaving it exposed to neighbours.

Marion and Roy Webster woke up to discover seven recently fitted fence panels had been stolen from the perimeter of their garden, from the side facing the road.

The panels had been installed just four weeks earlier around the garden of Mr and Mrs Webster’s semi-detached home in Slaidburn Avenue, Breightmet.

The incident happened between 11pm on Tuesday, April 8 and 7am on Wednesday, April 9 Mrs Webster, a retired warehouse operator, said: “I was so annoyed to wake up and find the fence panels had disappeared. I look after my garden and I saved to replace my privet hedge with a fence and now my privacy has gone.

“They must have used a vehicle to take them. I had the privet hedge taken out to make it easier to maintain. I don’t have anything in the garden but I am a really keen gardener and have a nice garden. I don’t want people to get in and damage my property.”

Mrs Webster said she and her 62-year-old husband face saving up again to replace the stolen panels.

Nearly half of the wooden panels were taken during the theft. She said they will look into securing the fences better to deter criminals.

Mrs Webster added: “I just want people to be aware nothing is safe after you save up to get jobs done.”

The crime has been reported to police and officers are investigating.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.