Stop checks carried out in Wem following a spike in crime

These have included thefts from unlocked vehicles and sheds and a theft from one of the town's churches.

Mandy Birch, a Wem resident, said she was very concerned about the number of thefts taking place in the town.

She said: "There has been a huge crime increase in Wem over the last couple of months which has recently become a daily/nightly occurrence.

"From elderly people's homes being robbed, to cars and garden sheds being broken into and thousands of pounds worth of items being stolen.

"The people of Wem know exactly who the culprits are and have names and photographs of the suspected people.

"They have been reported to the police on numerous occasions but nothing is being done.

"We have had enough now."

PC David Carpenter, based in Wem Police Station, said they had recently increased patrols in the area and done several stop searches.

He said: "We have had a number of reports of thefts recently especially from unlocked vehicles and sheds in the Wem area.

"There have been increased patrols and local officers have stop searched individuals found under suspicious circumstances out in the early hours and use of the town CCTV system has been made.

"We are following a number of lines of enquiry and have suspects in mind, however, would appreciate members of the public being vigilant and coming forward with any information they have that might assist."

Councillor Chris Mellings, Shropshire councillor for Wem, said he was setting up a public meeting with the police for residents to raise their concerns.

Councillor Pauline Dee said she was concerned the incidents would impact on the economy of the town.

She said: "I am worried for the economy of the town – I hope this won't put people off coming to Wem as Wem does have a low crime rate.

"I would urge people to call 101 and report these crimes. These incident need to be recorded."

Police are also appealing for information following reports of a theft from St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church in Wem.

Officers said the theft happened at about 10am on Monday.

Anyone with information or anybody who may have noticed a man acting suspiciously in the area between 9am and 10am is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 187s of May 31.