Gardener wanted as Wem house is burgled

A man who called at homes in Wem offering to carry out gardening is wanted by police following a burglary at a house in the town.

The man, thought to be aged in his late teens or 20s, called at homes in the Soulton Road area last week, where he offered to do garden maintenance. His visits coincided with a burglary at the home of a couple in their 80s living in the road, who were away on holiday at the time.

Jewellery worth several thousand pounds, including a ruby ring, emerald ring, sapphire ring with matching pendant, string of pearls and a Sekonda watch in a presentation box were stolen from a bedroom.

The burglary happened between 11.30am last Wednesday and noon the following day, after the thief forcing his way in through the front door.

Police say they are treating the man as a suspect until they can eliminate him from their inquires.

Detective Sergeant Andy Chatting said: "We know a young man called at a number of homes on both sides of the road on Wednesday afternoon offering to cut hedges or to carry out other work. It appears he was also in the same area the previous day.

"Until we know otherwise, we are treating him as a suspect but it's possible he was a genuine caller. Therefore, we are urging him to contact the burglary unit at Shrewsbury police station by calling 101 so he can be eliminated from our inquiries.

"We would also like to hear from any other residents not already spoken to, both from Wem and other towns or villages in north Shropshire, who have recently been approached by one or more strangers offering garden maintenance."

He said if the 'gardener' was not genuine he may have been operating in other parts of the region such as the Whitchurch or Market Drayton areas.