Note: if you have seen or heard anything which might relate to an incident in this report, please phone West Mercia Police on 101 and quote the appropriate OIS incident reference number. Thank you.

 Burglaries of Premises and Buildings other than Dwellings.

A green and yellow Dawes mountain bike and an orange and white mountain bike were stolen when a shed in Roden Grove, Wem, was broken into. The raid occurred at some time between 11-14 February but was not reported until Fri 19 Feb. (OIS 0258s 190216).

Between 9.30am/7.45pm on Thurs 18 February, a metal bar was taken from a garden shed at Coton, near Quina Brook, and used to attempt to break into a house. The offender/s were possibly disturbed. (OIS 0664s 180216).

Between Thurs/Sat 18-20 February, a garden shed at The Firs, Chester Road, Whitchurch, was broken into and a black bag of tools was stolen. (OIS 0229s200216). Overnight between 19-20 February, three sheds at a neighbouring property at The Firs, Chester Road, were broken into. A McCulloch chainsaw, a Titan hedge trimmer, a power drill and a paint stripper were among items removed. (OIS 0188s 200216).

A generator and a chainsaw were stolen when a workshop at Eaton on Tern was broken into between 10am/2.30pm Fri 19 February. (OIS 0477s 190216).

An attempt was made to break into a garage and outbuildings at Hopton, near Hodnet, during the day on Friday 19 February. (OIS 0709s 190216)

A repeat attempt was made to break into a bowling club in Victoria Road, Market Drayton, overnight between Sat/Sun 21-22 February. (OIS 0360s 220216)

Thefts of Purses

Around 2.30pm on Sat 20 February, a partially sighted shopper was in a busy charity shop in High Street, Whitchurch, with her niece. On two occasions a female stood close by while the shopper browsed the displays. When the shopper came to purchase a greetings card she found that the handbag on her shoulder had been unzipped and her purse had been taken. (OIS 0469s 200216).

Around 12.30pm on Mon 22 February, a shopper and a friend were in a supermarket in Maer Lane, Market Drayton. The shopper’s handbag was attached to her shopping trolley while she browsed the shelves and on returning to it, she found the handbag open and her purse was missing. The purse contained cash, cards and personal items. A male described as tall, dark haired and possibly in a suit, had been standing nearby. £500 was later fraudulently withdrawn from a cash machine near the supermarket. (OIS 0276s 220216)

Between 1-1.30pm on Tues 23 February, a shopper had withdrawn cash at a building society in High Street, Market Drayton and was in a charity shop in Green End with her daughter. A male described as white, about 5’6″/5’8″ tall, in his mid 40s and with short fair hair, stood nearby. The same male followed the couple into another charity shop. The shopper then found her purse was missing and saw the male leaving the shop. Cash and credit cards were taken. (OIS 0287s 230216)

Please remind neighbours and friends to be vigilant when in busy shopping centres and to ensure that purses, wallets and handbags are secure at all times, especially at cash points and checkouts. So far this month, Shropshire Police have recorded ten other thefts of purses, wallets and bank cards from shoppers in busy shops.