CCTV image of motorbike used in store raid

Detectives today released an image of a motorbike a gang of thieves used to escape after raiding a Shropshire newsagents.

The haul of cigarettes was stolen from Martins Newsagents in Madeley, Telford, in the early hours of New Year's Eve.

The burglars, wearing boiler suits and balaclavas, smashed their way into the newsagents through a roller shutter door, before fleeing with the stock.

It is understood they were one of several gangs which have been targeting newsagents for several months and fleeing on scrambler-style bikes.

After rolling up the shutter door, the gang smashed a glass door and stole the cigarettes before fleeing on the motorbike.

Police arrived at the scene but the gang had fled. CCTV footage is being studied as part of the investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards said: "Following initial investigations, we believe three to four men broke into the newsagents and stole a large amount of cigarettes from within.

It is believed they were wearing clothing, which looked like dark coloured boiler suits and balaclavas, and made their escape on an orange/yellow coloured scrambler bike.

"We want to hear from anybody who knows anything about the incident or the bike or the clothing."

Mr Edwards warned anyone who bought the stolen cigarettes that they could face prosecution for handling stolen goods.

Telford police have recently teamed up with bosses at SmartWater in Telford to use its products to catch burglars.

A SmartWater alarm system fitted at a newsagents saw one gang caught red-handed after the alarm alerted officers nearby.

Mr Edwards urged any firms who could offer products in the fight against crime to contact police.