For the third time in as many weeks, volunteers tending to Peace Park on Manning Street found rose bushes they had planted had been stolen.

The Coordinator of the Peace Park Volunteers, Mr Colin Hollis, said, “This selfish, illegal act deprives all residents of enjoying the rose display in the park in the coming months.”

The group was about to commence this season’s planting but are now reconsidering their future involvement.

Colin can't believe that the rose bushes have been stolen

“It seems pointless to purchase new rose bushes just to have them stolen,” Mr Hollis added.

Among the latest roses stolen were a rare miniature donated by the late Robert Curll and a Pierre de Ronsard, donated by Elizabeth Burnett to replace an earlier stolen bush.

The motivation behind these thefts remains perplexing.

Unfortunately for Kiama, if the rose bushes continue to be stolen, the volunteers may see little point in continuing their work at Peace Park.

If anyone in the community has any information, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.