Mystery as three town signs stolen

Three roadside signs for a Devon town have been stolen.

The theft of the signs from main roads into Crediton have mystified the town council which estimates they may be worth only £10 each as scrap.

The missing signs were reported to police on 24 January and the council has asked Devon County Council to replace them "as soon as possible".

It is the first time the signs, which celebrate the town as birthplace of Devon's patron saint St Boniface, have gone missing.

Emily Armitage, from the town council, said the theft had disappointed the authority.

"There's nothing to go on, there's no CCTV, so it's a mystery," she said.

"People must be desperate to do something like that."

Devon and Cornwall Police said they were appealing for witnesses and footage.

Two signs were taken from the A377, one by Queen Elizabeth's Drive and the second from the town entrance from Exeter.

The third was stolen from the A3072 entering the town from Tiverton.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: "We have offered to replace them with our standard town naming signs.

"Crediton Town Council have requested enhanced signs be created and we are waiting for details of costs from our contractor, Milestone."

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