A 4ft high black metal water butt has been stolen from the Angarrack area of Hayle.
Police said the thief or thieves appeared to have gone across a number of gardens to get to the container.
PC John Fulker, from the Hayle neighbourhood police team, said: "It was a metal one and it is possibly believed to be brass so we believe it could have been stolen for its scrap value rather than its intrinsic value as a water butt."
Mr Fulker said that because of the size and weight of the water butt it was believed to have been moved in a vehicle.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact police by dailing 101 and quoting crime reference number AY-13-383.
