Warning issued following spate of vehicle crime in Ellesmere
Police in Shropshire are advising motorists to keep parked vehicles locked at all times and to remove valuables following a spate of break-ins.
They have re-issued security advice after four vehicles were broken into in one street with damage and property stolen amounting to several thousand pounds.
All four incidents happened at Hillcrest in Ellesmere between 4.30am and 5am. In three cases access was gained by smashing windows and in the other through an unlocked door.
A Dell laptop in a black case, a wallet, bank cards, driving licence, a Tom Tom satellite navigation system and a camera were stolen from a Ford Transit van.
A quantity of power and other tools were taken from a Vauxhall Vivaro van.
A BMW car was broken into and a Tom Tom sat-nav system stolen and an Apple iPod Nano with charger were stolen from a Ford Mondeo.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Obviously, all four crimes are being linked. They all happened within a half-hour period which goes to show how quickly vehicles can be broken into and property stolen.
"We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the Hillcrest area early today. Any information which might assist the police should be forwarded to Ellesmere or Oswestry police stations on 0300 333 3000.
Information can also be given to the anonymous Crimestoppers number, 0800 555 111."
The spokesperson added that drivers should remember to keep their parked vehicles locked at all times and to remove any valuables, especially overnight. "Wherever possible, anything of value should be taken out of vehicles or at the very least not left visible."
Further information about vehicle security is available on the West Mercia Police website http://www.westmercia.police.uk.
