£25,000 raid at kart track

Goods worth £25,000, including 10 go-karts, were stolen from a track near Oswestry after raiders cut their way into the site.

It was the third burglary in less than a year at Rednal Go-Karting Track, and its owner Matt Reade claims the raids will cost him £80,000 in lost takings.

He said he will now have to bring 10 older karts back into use to keep the track going over the next few months.

Mr Reade said the thieves had used a gas cutter to break the locks on the gates leading to the track on Rednal Industrial Estate, before cutting through the lock on a container which houses go-karts and equipment.

The thieves took off with brand new BMW wheels, tools, Air replica alloys, foam seat inserts and 10 Honda go-karts valued at £2,400 each.

Mr Reade said the burglary was the third attack on his business in less than a year. Late last year thieves broke in and stole thousands of pounds' worth of tools, eight go-karts, 50 helmets and tyres.

"This is the third burglary in less than a year and it's costing me a lot of money", said Mr Reade.

"A group of about 16 children were here this morning but because of the break-in we had to keep them waiting for a bit until we got ourselves sorted as we did not have enough go-karts after the burglary."

Mr Reade says he could now lose many thousands of pounds in revenue following the break-ins.

"I won't be able to replace anything before late this year at the earliest. I have lost a lot of money and I will lose up to £80,000.

"It's a nightmare. It's not as if I can just replace all this equipment and go-karts straight away, it takes time because it is so expensive."

The raiders struck between 6.45pm on Monday and 9am yesterday.

Police are appealing for any information and are also asking anyone who is offered any of the stolen items for sale to call Oswestry police station on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

By Antonia Merola