Thieves 'using Google Earth' to steal valuable carp

gmb45 · 2nd July, 2009, 05:26 AM

Cunning thieves are using Google Earth and satellite technology to target garden ponds containing valuable koi carp, it has emerged.

Police believe thieves are using the internet mapping system to target ponds which contain the fish, which are worth thousands of pounds.

They said a spate of recent thefts across East Yorkshire indicated that the culprits were using Google Earth to seek out their targets.

Police believe thieves are using Google Earth and internet satellite technology to steal valuable Japanese Koi carp

The service provides detailed satellite photos of people's back gardens.

Humberside Police Community Support Officer Sam Gregory evidence suggested thieves were using the internet to pinpoint prospective hauls.

PCSO Gregory said: 'Google shows what is in your garden and you can see people's ponds.

'One of the properties targeted has an eight foot fence and is set back from the road.

'The pond is in the corner and can't be seen'

Robert Barnes lost four koi carp and expensive lilies from his pond.

He said: 'They took the smaller fish, probably because they last longer out of the water.
Google Earth provides detailed views into streets and back gardens

Google Earth provides detailed views into streets and back gardens

'My neighbour later told me she had seen two young men with a bike with a box on it and a big black net.'

Nigel Dawson said his expensive filter system and 13 koi carp were stolen from his back garden.

He said: 'I am devastated. I didn't see or hear anything.'

However a spokesperson for Google insisted the search engine was just one provider of such satellite images.

He said: 'Google Earth is built from information that is available worldwide from a wide range of both commercial and public sources.

'As such, Google Earth creates no appreciable increase in security risks, given the wide commercial availability of high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery of every country in the world.

'Criminals could use maps, phones and getaway cars but no one would argue that these technologies are responsible for the crime itself, that responsibility lies with the perpetrator.'

**xant14** · 2nd July, 2009, 05:34 AM

oh FFS.... what next. As soon as google streets came on, people were saying that thieves were using it to rob houses, and plan their escape. Yeah this is possible, but so is walking down the street and seeing it for yourself. People hate technology.
Koi carp?

, I didn't even think it tasted very good anyway.