A SNEAKY fox is believed to be behind a three-week crime spree targeting the shoes and washing lines of a Bracknell neighbourhood.

Homes around Shepherds Lane have been the target of the fur-tailed thief for around three weeks with shoes, tops and even pillow cases dumped in the the back garden of the confused Ranger family.

Mark Ranger says he has found "at least" 20 odd trainers and work boots in his garden over the past few weeks, and with a foxes den just two doors down and new fox cubs recently born, Mark has a good idea as to who the thief might be. 

The family have lived in Shepherds Lane for several years and Mark hopes he can help reunite the shoes with their bemused owners. 

Mark said: "It's been going on just over three weeks now. There's probably been at least 20 shoes dumped. I thought I should put it out there so someone can recognise its their shoes and reclaim them."

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Are you missing your other shoe? One of these could be yours.

He added: "This fox has come up to me three or four times and been just eight foot away so it's quite confident. The den is two doors down and they are just taking stuff from the gardens. 

"It's not just shoes, we've found a child's top, a pillow case, it's anything they can grab."

"I must admit I'm guilty of throwing out bones for them and I suppose we have encouraged them, I don't know if it's their way of saying thank you!"

Bracknell News:

Caught in the act! The Shepherds Lane fox strikes.

Urban foxes have become a blight of towns and cities over the years, and are known for their sly ways stealing shoes and other items as well as digging up plants and ripping open black bin bags. 

Bracknell News:

Photos courtesy of Mark Ranger.