Copper piping and materials worth £10,000 stolen in Welshpool

Thieves have stolen up to £10,000 worth of copper piping and materials after targeting a house that is currently being renovated in a village on the Powys/Shropshire border.

Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating the theft from a house that was being renovated in Crew Green, near Welshpool, sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Antony Topazio, communications officer for Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "We believe the offenders parked in an adjacent field, climbed a hedge and entered the unfinished building and removed the copper piping, causing significant damage.

"The value of the piping and other building materials that were stolen could top £10,000."

He said the force feared that similar offences would take place over the winter months and said a significant number of crimes being committed in the Dyfed-Powys area were being carried out by travelling criminals.

"Although Powys is one of the safest places in England and Wales, members of the public should be fully prepared for these offences, especially as the nights draw in," he said.

"We are urging members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Police officers in Powys continue to carry out operations to combat burglaries and travelling criminals, which sends out a strong and clear message to criminals who commit such crime in Powys."

Anyone with information should call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 or 0845 3302000.