HUDDERSFIELD'S heritage is vanishing in front of our eyes.

Stone thefts are happening at the rate of one a day at the moment with everything from stone flags to wall-toppings and stone slates from roofs being stolen.

The problem is happening right across the area from rural places such as Wooldale right into the town centre.

Districts particularly hard hit are Crosland Moor, Lockwood and Paddock.

There have been 24 reports of stone thefts since the start of February and at some a small red Ford Fiesta van has been seen. Its registration number is very similar to T926 SND.

It was seen when stone slates were stolen from a derelict barn at Wooldale Road in Wooldale and at other crimes.

We would ask people who see any stone being loaded into vehicles - which may range from hatchback cars to lorries - to note down the registration number and dial 999 immediately as it is an ongoing crime.

Help us to stop these thefts which are spoiling Huddersfield for everyone.

Each Yorkshire stone flag is worth between £10 and £15 and old stone reclaimed from buildings sells for £55 a square yard.

Many of the stone flags have been stolen from back gardens in built-up areas.

On at least one occasion the thieves spotted the flags after strong winds had blown a fence down.

Thieves sometimes even take what they can carry and then stack other flags up to return later for them.

At other times the victims have stacked them up near the road ready to be laid.

That makes it far too easy for the thieves.

Always conceal them away from the road to make it hard for the thieves to steal them.

And let's all be extra vigilant to make it as tough as possible for these thieves to operate.

TWO conmen who flag motorists down and tell them sob stories to trick them out of cash are thought to have done the same trick in South Yorkshire up to a month ago.

The pair have struck in Meltham and at Standedge, near Marsden, in the last two weeks.

They have flagged down motorists and claimed to be running out of petrol. They always say they need to get to hospital quickly.

They offer a gold ring in return for cash for petrol, but know kind-hearted people will always turn the ring down and just hand over money.

Since the story first appeared in the Examiner other victims have come forward - and it now turns out they may have been doing the same on a rural road near Thurgoland in South Yorkshire.

Both men are of Eastern European appearance.