SHE’S known as the Banksy of Leigh... but now Linda Catling is sharpening her detective skills after her latest postbox topper called “PC Plod” was stolen... the second to be snatched within days.
Linda has become a Leigh legend for her hand-made, colourful and creative postbox toppers which she has been placing in Marine Parade since the Covid lockdown.
Despite securing the knitted toppers to postboxes using a chain and padlock, thieves stole her Valentine’s day-themed topper on Thursday.
Undeterred, Linda knitted a new police themed topper and gave “PC Plod” the responsibility of keeping an eye-out for the thief.
Within five hours, the new topper was also stolen and she believes the same person is responsible for both thefts.
Linda said: “It is very annoying and frustrating that one guy can ruin what was something that gave the community pleasure.
“He has been seen on CCTV, and it is the same guy who took the first one.
“I just feel really upset. It is a shame because he has now made me nervous about putting any more out.
“I just don’t understand why he is doing it. It is not of monetary value. I just don’t know where to go from here. The second one didn’t even last five hours before it was taken.”
Linda is partially sighted after losing 50 per cent of her eyesight at the start of the Covid lockdown.
She decided to make a hat for the postbox near her home, and quickly became an online sensation.
Linda has since made more than 60 toppers including themes around Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Remembrance Day, cancer awareness, and the World Cup.
She added: “There has been a lot of support since, and people are also very angry. I thank all the community for the support.
“Everyone wants me to continue, which I also want too, but not for it to land in the hands of a man who is stealing them.
“If the person responsible is reading this, and has a conscience, please return them as they give so much pleasure to the community and beyond.”
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