THIEVES stole a decorative Christmas wreath from the door of a new Ilkley florist’s shop, just days after the business’ charity launch event.

Witnesses are said to have seen two women acting suspiciously outside of Erica Berry Flowers, Railway Road, before hurrying away with the wreath and getting into a car parked around the corner.

The incident was said to have happened at dusk on Tuesday, December 9, while Erica and her staff were busy preparing their Christmas decoration orders inside the shop.

Erica said “It is disappointing that this has happened just as we getting started and is a lesson to us to be more vigilant.

“It’s also ironic as we particularly chose Ilkley as a respectable shopping environment ideal for bespoke floristry.

“Fortunately we have lots of other lovely ladies visiting the shop so we do hope that this is a one-off incident.”

The Christmas wreath was made of winter foliage, berries and seed pods.