B&Q raiders smash 5ft hole in wall

Thieves smashed their way into a B&Q superstore in the Black Country today and stole thousands of pounds worth of power tools and fires.

Shoppers at the store on the Spring Vale Industrial Estate, in Bilston, were shocked to find the 5ft hole in the wall when they arrived this morning.

During the early-morning raid thieves broke through bricks, breeze blocks and plaster board to get inside the superstore, which is off the busy Black Country Route.

It is believed the raid happened at around 3am.

The hole was directly behind a section of the shop selling expensive electric fires, heaters and power tools.

The crooks stole a pallet of 100 Makita drills worth £9,900 along will numerous high value electric fires and other stock.

Several aisles were sealed off today while workers assessed the damage.

Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for information to help catch the culprits.

Painter and decorator Ashley Wall was hoping to get a carbon monoxide alarm for his home but was forced to go elsewhere today after sections of the store were closed off.

Mr Wall, aged 42, from Wombourne, said: "As I pulled up in my car I did a double take when I saw the hole. It was very bold of them to do that as it is quite open there.

"The section where the hole is where there are fires and heaters and power tools so there's big money in them.

"It's a very neat hole where they have gone in.

At first I thought they might have used power tools but they could have done it with a sledgehammer. It must have taken a fair amount of time and effort." Samantha Bates, spokeswoman for West Midlands Police, said: "Police were called at 3.21am to reports of a burglary at B&Q on the Spring Vale industrial estate.

"A quantity of goods was taken and damage was caused to the side of the building.

"Police investigations are ongoing."

No-one at B&Q was immediately available for comment. Anyone with information is asked to call officers on 0345 113 5000.

In 2010, raiders smashed their way into the same branch twice in less than a month.

They smashed their way into the main office and making off with money.

On both occasions they tried to smash glass in the doors to the main entrance.

When that failed, they forced a fire door.