An elderly Basingstoke couple have been left distressed after they woke up to discover their rubbish bin had been stolen from outside their home on Pack Lane.

Nick and Lisa Newitt of Pack Lane in Kempshott were shocked by the disappearance and added that they are now feeling unsafe.

The theft occurred during the early hours of Tuesday morning, October 8, hours after the couple had set out their bin for collection the next morning.

"It was our rubbish bin day. So we kept it outside at 11pm," said Mrs Newitt, 80.

"But when we woke up at 6 am, we couldn’t find it."

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The Newitts asked their neighbours if anyone had seen or heard anything unusual.

Although no one could provide any clear answers, one neighbour did recall hearing suspicious noises at around 3.30am.

Mrs Newitt then went for a walk around the neighbourhood and was dismayed to find all their rubbish scattered in nearby Stratton Park, with no sign of the bin.

"I wonder who does such a thing," she added.

She picked up all the rubbish from the park, but she shared her frustration and disbelief at the strange occurrence.

"A new bin from the council would cost us £50. For pensioners like us, it isn’t fair," said Mrs Newitt.

She also admitted that the incident has left her feeling unsettled.

"I don’t feel safe anymore. We have asked our neighbours to be careful as well. It’s horrible. I don’t know why someone would do that."