Police in Wales have issued an unusual warning about dwarfs appearing in gardens outside homes in towns in the north of the country, planted by thieves.
The Guardian reported that malicious people are using the figurines to determine whether occupants are absent from their homes.
If the garden gnomes are not moved after a certain period of time, criminals can conclude that the residence is empty and can target it later.
North Wales Police wrote on its website: “We received a report of two men walking in an area in a suspicious manner.” They are seen walking suspiciously, looking at the property and throwing objects (one of which is a small gnome) on the ground.
The British authorities call this way of doing things the “calling card”.
“This type of behavior is used to see if items will be moved by residents,” South Flintshire Police shares on Facebook.
Local police therefore recommended that residents monitor if garden gnomes appear on their properties, and advised the public to make sure their homes are safe.
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