Ref. 26204-93THIEVES who stole generators from near a pond have put the lives of hundreds of fish at risk.

Claridges Pond, off Swindon Road in Lower Stratton, is a peaceful beauty spot, tucked away from the main road.

After the recent hot weather oxygen levels in the water had dropped and at the beginning of the week the Environment Agency installed aerators to keep the fish alive. These were powered by generators chained to a tree on an island in the middle of the pond.

But at some time on Thursday night and the early hours of Friday morning, thieves paddled across to the island on a lilo, and, used boltcutters to break the chains, and stole the two £1,000 generators, knocking the aerators out of action.

And after the aerators stopped working, around 250 bream, carp, tench and roach died.

Environment Agency spokes-man Chris Mitchell said there were no plans to replace the generators.

He said: "Evening temperatures have started to drop, and we are hoping the oxygen levels stabilise and start to rise, although there is no sign they have done yet.

"The generators are expensive and we can't afford to replace them, as there would not be a guard on the ponds. There is no need to use aerators at any other ponds in the borough."

Keen fisherman Gary Hunt, from Haydon Wick, said: "The ponds are council property and the council should start spending money to look after it.

"It's a marvellous place."

Anyone with information about the theft can contact police on Swindon 528111.

The crime has been reported to the police and Mr Mitchell appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious near the pond to contact Swindon police on 01793 528111.