Car firm hit by £250,000 raid

A Shropshire businessman was today counting the cost of a raid on his premises in which thieves made off with £250,000 of vehicles and property.

Rupert Astbury, owner of Mcdonald Land Rover Ltd on the Mile Oak Industrial Estate in Oswestry, said they were left sickened by the incident.

Mr Astbury said: "I have spent eight years building up the business then someone comes down and does this. It's just the hassle and inconvenience.

"It's like they have violated us. As a family concern we have built this up over the last eight years. It sickens us down to the stomach. It's something I wouldn't want anyone else to go through."

He added: "They were a very organised bunch of people who came in and did us over completely.

"Whether we get the cars back or not I don't know but we will have to see what happens. We lost a morning yesterday but we got up yesterday afternoon and we are fully back up and running. It's just sorting out the chaos and the insurance now."

Police say the thieves would have been at the site for some time and it was likely some of the vehicles were removed by low-loader. They struck between 10pm on Sunday and 3am yesterday.

They stole three blue Land Rover 90 Defenders, registration numbers N112 JUA, M261 JTT and M784 YEW, which has distinctive paintwork. Also taken were a silver Isuzu 4x4 pick-up, registration CW53 GJJ. and a white Ford Transit tipper, registration number NL57 OMU.

A Peugeot 306 was broken into and about 15 CDs stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 08457 444888.