South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2006 | February | 3
From the archive, first published Friday 3rd Feb 2006.
A PUCKLECHURCH decorator is set to suffer after essential work diaries were stolen from his car in the village.
Malcolm Chilcott, 56, woke up on Monday morning to find his car had been broken into and three work diaries stolen - while B&Q vouchers and decorating equipment strangely remained.
Mr Chilcott, who runs Malcolm Chilcott Decorating Services, told the Gazette that the theft has left him short of valuable contacts, bills and invoices - all important for the running of the business.
He said: "I just do not understand why they have taken the diaries. They are useless to anyone except me.
"The 2005 diary was most important as it showed all my past work and contacts I would like to refer to in the future.
"There is also a contact personal organiser and a current diary listing of all the upcoming jobs. I know I remember the jobs in the near future but I will struggle to remember jobs and names for work arranged in two or three months time.
"It looks set to prove a big problem for myself."
The diaries were stolen from Mr Chilcott's Vauxhall Cavalier on Oak Tree Avenue sometime overnight between Sunday and Monday morning.
Mr Chilcott, who has lived in Pucklechurch for more than 20 years, said theft is not uncommon in the area.
"I would move my car to a safer place but there are not a great deal of car-parking options near my house," he said this week.
"I have had my window mirrors snapped off before and have heard about other people who have suffered from similar car thefts."
Mr Chilcott is not only concerned about his own livelihood but is worried for past customers whose names and work details are listed in the diaries.
He said: "The police and myself are particularly concerned that the offenders may use my diary of past customers to approach them, pretending to be me, to con or rob them.
"I would not want this to happen to any of my customers."
Anyone with any information on the theft should contact the police on 0845 4567000.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008