A FISH owner in Ipswich has become the latest victim in a growing trend of carp stealing.A total of 44 fish, including Koi carp, gold tench and black tench worth a massive £15,000 have been stolen from pond in Belmont Road.

A FISH owner in Ipswich has become the latest victim in a growing trend of carp stealing.

A total of 44 fish, including Koi carp, gold tench and black tench worth a massive £15,000 have been stolen from pond in Belmont Road.

The theft happened between May 20 and 28 when the owner is believed to have been away.

The theft is the latest in an increasing number to feature the theft of expensive fish which are becoming sought after for garden ponds.

Just days before, 30 orange and white Koi carp were taken from a pond in the back garden of a house in The Street, Bawdsey.

And these incidents which come to light are just the tip of the iceberg, according to a local expert.

A spokesman for fish specialists Seapets, in Kesgrave, said: "This type of theft has become common - I have heard of five or six this year alone.

"This thieves pull up in the middle of the night when people are away and dredge the pond with nets, discarding the less valuable fish.

"They are then taken and sold on the black market," he said.

Koi, which originate from Japan, are sought after for their markings, colours and size and can be worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

The spokesman added that although preventing a thief from targeting a pond while the owners are away is difficult some precautions can be taken, such as having the pond where it cannot be seen by the public and providing sheltered areas under the water where the fish can hide.

Anyone with information about these incidents should call Suffolk police on 01473 613500.

Have you been the victim of a fish thief? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk