An unusual theft has left a city charity very aware that winter is coming.

The Norfolk Family History Society, based in Cleveland Road in the city centre, is a group which offers assistance to those who are researching their family tree.

The charity's volunteers get into the nitty-gritty details of a family tree but they didn’t expect someone to take that to a new level by helping themselves to their winter grit bin. 

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Membership secretary and trustee Belinda Broad said: “It was quite strange, our premises manager came into the office on Tuesday and asked us with a very straight face if we had moved the grit bin.  

“It didn’t register at first as it’s such an odd thing to go missing, so myself and the treasurer went to the window and saw the empty spot where the bin should have been.

“Why would anyone steal it?” 

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Norwich Evening News: A grit bin has been stolen from a city charity A grit bin has been stolen from a city charity (Image: Norfolk Family History Society)

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The team believes the bin was taken from their car park sometime between July 25 and August 1.  

Belinda added: “The car park can be slippery, and we take health and safety very seriously.” 

The charity also stored hand sanitiser, de-icer for the car park lock and gloves for PPE in the bin. 

They are now in the process of replacing the grit bin.