Hello. This is a Police warning: Please be on your guard around ancient stone monuments, as it has been reported that one of our old prehistoric Hammerite Stones has been stolen from under our noses. For thousands of years Beckworth has boasted a bakers dozen of standing stones (13, which is more than most stone circles have) and now we are reduced to a normal dozen (12), which is bound to effect tourism. Plus we’ve a ruddy dangerous hole that will need concreting over. This is a heinous crime that is sweeping the country, which we believe is being committed by highly-organised gangs, who break down the stones to make into gravel (highly prized for use in ornamental gardens or on posh driveways). If you see someone pilfering large stone objects or offering you cheap gravel that’s fallen off the back of a lorry, waste no time and dial 999. Let’s nip this rubble-based crime in the bud before it’s too late and someone get’s maimed or even seriously killed. Yours, PC Cowgrove. Beckworth Police

(Above) A police artist’s impression of the missing Hammerite Stone