Police warning after spate of car thefts in Oswestry

The town has been a target for car thieves over the Christmas and New Year period, with more than ten different reports of people attempting to break into vehicles in the area.

On December 27 multiple attempts were made to enter vehicles in the Border Close area, with five reported thefts in Plas Fynnon since Christmas Day.

Two vehicles on the Llanymynech border had items stolen from them in the run up to New Year, with various other reports from around the Oswestry area.

Plumber Chris Johnson caught a man on CCTV trying to break into his van on Cabin Lane on Tuesday, with his neighbours also reporting attempts made on their vehicles.

Mr Johnson has been hit in the past, with a total of £9,000 worth of tools stolen in two separate thefts.

He said: "It is the third time it has happened now and it is frustrating because you think you know everyone in Oswestry, you think you know the bad people but you don't.

"Neighbours said he had been trying their cars too and this time he just seems a bit of a chancer.

"In the past I've been hit twice, once for £4,000 and the other for £5,000.

"The people doing it are just scum, it can hit businesses hard. That is why I've had CCTV installed and it sends an alert to my phone if someone walks in front of the camera."

Graeme Sutton, who lives in Jasmine Close, spotted what he thought was a bin man near his property in the early hours of Thursday morning.

However when getting into his Mercedes car, he discovered a host of items had been stolen, and a gadget had been used to get into the vehicle.

He said: "It was in the drive and someone has gone in and taken petty stuff like a small amount of money, sweets, even a half-drunk Lucozade bottle.

"No damage has been caused to the car, they must have used some sort of gadget to get in. It just shows you can't trust anyone."

Sergeant Deborah Bentley said officers are continuing to patrol the area after a spate of attempted thefts, and urged members of the community to remain vigilant.

She said: "Officers, including Special Constables, will be continuing to provide high visibility reassurance patrols throughout the area. We urge members of the community to contact us if they see or hear anything suspicious.

"I would also like to remind people to remain vigilant and take a few simple steps to help prevent opportunistic thieves from targeting their property.

"Never leave anything on show in your car and take belongings with you after you've parked, preferably in a well lit, secure area where possible.

"It is also a good idea to check that all locks on windows, doors and sheds are in good working order and again, try to secure valuable items out of sight wherever possible.”