Staff swelter as thieves hit air con

Customers and staff at a Stourbridge store were left sweltering during the recent heatwave after metal thieves caused almost £60,000 worth of damage to its air conditioning system.

The air conditioning plant on the roof of Wilkinsons has been attacked twice this year. And the latest raid, in which vital components were stripped out to sell for scrap, has left the High Street store without a cooling system during some of the hottest days of the year.

The shop is now waiting for replacement parts to arrive to repair the system.

One customer, retired civil servant Robert Haywood, aged 68, of Oakleigh Road, Oldswinford, Stourbridge, said: "Unlike many shops in Stourbridge, the temperature in Wilko is always just right – not too hot nor too cold.

"So I was surprised when I popped in to find it was like a Turkish bath. I asked one of the check-out staff why it was so hot – and she told me the air conditioning system had been stolen from the roof.

"In the old days, they used to say that thieves would steal anything which wasn't nailed down, but I imagine this air conditioning system was safely secured – but it was still stolen. I suppose it is a sign of our criminal times."

West Midlands Police are appealing for any information that could help catch those responsible for the theft, which happened between June 29 and July 19.

Police spokesman Gina Lycett said: "The thieves climbed on to a flat roof and stolen elements from three air conditioning units at Wilkinsons in Stourbridge."

A spokesman for Wilkinsons confirmed that the system had been disabled following vandalism and the theft of components.

"The matter is being investigated by the police and urgent steps are being taken to source replacement units," added the spokesman. "We apologise to our customers for any discomfort they may be feeling."

The company said that the problem first occurred in January and replacement units were later installed. But a further incident was discovered on July 18 and repair work has now been ordered, as well as improvements to security.