Thieves steal £15,000 from Boots in Cannock shops break-in spree

Police have put retailers on high alert in the run up to Christmas after the Boots branch at the Orbital Retail Park, Fluid Technologies in Norton Canes and Sea Line Fish Bar in Cannock were all broken into.

At Boots, thieves forced open a fire exit at 11pm last Friday, taking men's grooming products including electric razors and toothbrushes.

Over the weekend they broke into Fluid Technologies at the Apex Business Park, taking a drill and forcing bosses to spend thousands on upgrading security.

Then, on Monday, Sea Line Fish Bar in High Green, Cannock was targeted, with thieves stealing an empty safe.

Police are not ruling out the possibility that the three thefts could be linked.

They follow a spate of house break-ins in Rugeley.

Boots assistant manager Sue Bateman said: "I came in the next morning and everyone was just really upset by it.

"They mainly went for electrical goods. What they took was worth around £15,000.

"We are still dealing with the ramifications of it now but it is the mess they left behind as well.

"We are like a little family here and we like to look out for each other.

"To think someone's been inside and done that is not a nice feeling.

"I definitely think it is because we are approaching Christmas.

"It always seems to get worse around this time."

Fluid Technologies was targeted between 4.30pm on Friday and 9.30am on Monday when someone forced a door at the back of the property.

A £100 Makita drill was stolen and the firm has since spent £3,000 making the entry more secure.

Director Martin Cresswell said: "It was clearly kids who got through the door at the rear of the factory.

"There was nothing in there of interest, just bits of metal and hand tools. One drill was taken worth £100.

"We have had someone in and the door is now more secure.

"It cost about £3,000 to do that.

"They got in through a UPVC door, which is basically plastic.

"It is not as secure as a steel framed door."

Thieves forced their way into the Sea Line Fish Bar between midnight Sunday and 10.10am on Monday.

The burglaries happened within days of each other but police could not say for certain that the same culprits were responsible.

Staffordshire Police spokeswoman Sarah Davison said: "They're all quite different in terms of the types of businesses targeted.

"However, whether or not they are linked will form part of our investigation into the three burglaries."

In the wake of the incidents police have warned other businesses to be on their guard against potential break-ins.

In a neighbourhood watch alert police warned firms: "Please be on your guard and observe at all times and review any security measures."

Georgia Cox, of Brindley Honda car dealership on Walsall Road, said: "We received as message from Staffordshire Police to be aware of what has happened and telling us to lock up properly.

"We have not been targeted ourselves but we are taking extra precautions."

The latest burglaries follow a recent spate of house break-ins in Rugeley during the last two months, which has prompted officers to step up patrols in the area and issue safety advice to residents.

Thirty items of jewellery, including a pair of Second World War medals, were stolen during one raid in St Michael's Road. But burglars have targeted homes in the town this week.

A house on Landor Crescent was burgled at around 6pm on Sunday and jewellery was taken.

And someone tried to gain access to a home in Queensway overnight Monday by forcing a window but failed.

Anyone with information on any of the incidents should contact Staffordshire Police on 101.

To provide details on the business crimes members of the public are asked to quote incident reference 191 of November 23 for the Seal Line Fish Bar break-in, 184 of November 23 the Fluid Technologies burglary and 901 of November 20 for the Boots incident.