Third village postbox stolen in two years

A THIRD postbox has been stolen in Checkendon in under two years.

Thieves had removed the box from a concrete post in Scots Common, near Scots Farm.

Now residents are worried that the postbox will not be replaced.

This is the third theft following the removal of two boxes from the top of a concrete post in Bradley’s Street in June and July last year.

The replacement box had only been in place for a week before the site was targeted again and was not replaced.

The village currently has three other postboxes, two in Uxmore Road and one in Whitehall Lane.

Postboxes can fetch high prices on auction sites like eBay, particularly among antiques collectors.

The value largely depends on the royal cypher, which indicates the monarch under whom the box was installed.

Boxes from certain reigns, such as those from the Victorian era, can sell for thousands of pounds due to their rarity and historical significance.

Kay Petherick, who lives in Bradley’s Street, said she first noticed the box was missing while out on a walk.

She said: “We waited until the next day and the postman said it had been taken about two weeks ago.

“It seems constantly to happen here, that’s the odd thing. I don’t know if there are others going missing in other places.

“The only reason I can think of is that on eBay they sell for lots of money and here, they are the proper ER ones.

“I think in this day and age, people just want to make money. They don’t think about anyone else.

“Were there any letters in it? What have they done with them?”

Mrs Petherick said that she did not believe that the postbox would be replaced by the Post Office as it was in an unusual location.

She said it was a shame the box was stolen as she believed it was of historical significance and likely used by residents of a resettlement camp where hundreds of Polish war refugees once lived.

The camp was opened in Checkendon in 1948 and offered accommodation in small buildings known as Nissen huts. Its remains are still regularly visited by tourists.

Mrs Petherick said: “Obviously it’s a box in the middle of nowhere so that’s its downfall but I don’t understand why it’s just Checkendon. It makes you think, it must be someone who passes by here.

“They will say we have another three in the village. The other two are set into the wall. It’s really hard for anyone to do anything about it.”

Mrs Petherick said she wished the boxes had trackers attached to them or a camera could be set up to catch future thefts.

A spokeswoman for the Post Office said: “Since 2023, two postboxes in Checkendon have been stolen — an original and then a replacement.

“We have reported this latest theft to the police and are carrying out further inquiries.

“In the meantime, customers can use the village’s two other postboxes or drop their post off at a Post Office.”