QUESTIONS have been raised by a Worcester resident as to why a replica crane has not been installed near a waterway in the city, to replace one that was stolen.

Will Richards has been investigating what happened to the crane, stolen more than a decade ago, and found that it was moved to a lock-up by development company Green Villa and, while in their care, was stolen.

In the aftermath of the incident, Mr Richards says Worcester City Council made an agreement with Green Villa to replace the stolen crane with a replica to go in its place. This, he says, has still not happened.

He said: “They (Green Villa) agreed with Worcester City Council planning department to replace it with a replica within 18 months of the new tenants of the refurbished buildings moving in.

“They clearly failed to honour this, and apparently, the two council employees responsible for dealing with this originally have since moved on.

“I am also currently seeking answers from a reluctant Canal & Rivers Trust, to establish why they have failed so lamentably in pursuing matters like this, in pursuance of their duty to preserve and protect such important historical features for the greater public.

“This is potentially about the theft of our history, and people can only stop it by exposing it when it is attempted.”

A spokesman for the Canal and River Trust said: “It’s such a shame when people without any respect for a community steal a piece of local heritage – presumably for scrap no less.

“Fortunately there are local people who do take a positive interest, including those interested in the former crane at Diglis, and the many who volunteer with the Canal and River Trust to give something back.

“The building the crane was attached to is no longer there and its replacement, together with the verge alongside it, aren’t owned by the Trust. That said, if someone can take action to replace and look after the crane, we would be supportive of them.”

A City Council spokesperson said: “We have contacted the developer to draw this matter to their attention and are currently awaiting their response.”

The small crane, which sat by the waterside in Diglis Basin, was moved during the redevelopment work at the start of the 21st century. At the time, council bosses accused the firm of “negligence” when the theft was revealed.

In 2008, the city council said it wanted Green Villa to pay for the construction of an exact replica of the crane to put back in its rightful place.

READ MORE: Here is how the Worcester News reported on the theft at the time