Police believe the heavily bearded soft toys are being left not as thoughtful if out of season gifts but by burglars who are trying to test whether homes are empty.
If the gnome is not moved, burglars work on the basis that the householder is probably not around and their home is a decent target.
The gnomes began appearing on 1 September when two men said to be carrying Royal Mail-style bags were spotted in Broughton, Flintshire. They were reportedly looking at properties and placing items into residents’ gardens, including gnomes. The sightings were flagged up on the north Wales community alert page.