On 25th October 2000 I was at home working on the computer when I noticed a couple of lads wandering around the flats car park so I went out to ask them who they were looking for and they grunted and cleared off. Later in the afternoon our alarm sensor on the outside camera which protects the car (it's really that bad where I live) went off so I charged outside to find the two suspects had returned. I asked again who they were looking for and they said in thick Irish accents Jason and Richard respectively at the same time. I just said there was nobody of that name in the flats so once again they took off. At about 8.30 that night the alarm went off again and I charged out of the house to see them bundling my big blue kite bag into a Ford Escort and charge off up the road with tyres squealing. I had completely forgotten the bag was even in the car so when I found it had gone I couldn't believe I had been so stupid as not to realise what they were after. I put this down to the idea that most of the locals wouldn't touch them because they knew they were kites and not fishing rods.

So we called the police and I went wandering off on foot hoping to find them when or if they got dumped some where, I was out for about 1 hour before the police called back to say they were on their way. Now I have to admit I had a low opinion of the local police as we have never really had much success in prosecuting anyone no matter how blatant their crimes were. So this time I told them I expected nothing good to come from their visit unless I could get publicity for my lost kites in the vain hope that someone might find them and I could get them back. They took an extensive statement from me and departed. I had another look round for a few hours and went to bed.

I didn't sleep much thinking about all the kites I would have to make and the ones I had no hope of replacing as they were gifts. I was roused next morning to the sound of my phone ringing. It was the Birmingham area police publicity liaison she asked me to give a value on the kites in the bag. I told her they were worth between 3-6000 pounds she asked what they were used for and I told her about the Sky Symphony and the displays we did and she asked if I would be in during the morning. From then on the phone rang continually, the Express and Star sent a photographer, Birmingham post, radio WM's Ed Doolan and Heart FM all interviewed me about the theft. In the evening I picked up the paper and read the article which had added 1000 pounds to my upper estimate of the kites value. Sue found I even had a report on teletext. I phoned the team members I could get and told them what had happened they were all very nice about it considering where I had left the kites.

About 9.00pm Alan Poxon phoned and said "hi Dave I think I am going to make your day" I asked him why (not daring to hope) "well I have received a phone call from a fellow who thinks he has found your bag of kites". I cannot describe the feeling of relief I felt at this point but I think I nearly dropped the phone. They had been found on the green on Low Hill and the finder had found Alan's phone number on his team kite and called him. I recovered the kites, checked them out and was amazed to find that there was only one pair of lower spreaders missing from the whole bag. I phoned the police and told them and phoned round the team to let them know. Next day I phoned the Birmingham police publicity liaison and thanked her for helping me get the kites back I had another interview and photo taken by the Express and Star and went through the inventory of kites with the policeman who had originally visited. Without the help of Wednesfield police and the news papers and radio I do not believe I would have all the kites back.

Now I hope this never happens to anybody else as I was extremely lucky to get them all back. I believe the thieves stole the kites thinking they were easily disposable fishing gear and dumped them when they found they were kites. Usually they would have dumped them somewhere they would not have been found. The sheer weight of the bag would have made this difficult. But without the publicity I am sure I would never have seen them again.

IMHO my advice is:-

1. Don't leave your kites in your car some idiot will pinch them.

2. Put your phone number on each of your kites (silver or gold on the Black Dacron works well)

3. Put the word KITES (in bold type) and your telephone number on your kite bag.

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