Man Questioned Over Metal Thefts In Malvern Hills

A man has been arrested in Malvern and questioned by detectives about a series of thefts where air conditioning units were stolen in the Malvern Hills district in December and January. 

The man, who is in his 30s, was stopped by patrolling officers on Spring Lane at 9.50pm on Friday (20 January) as he loaded a white Peugeot Boxer panel van. He was in the possession of items that were believed to be stolen and arrested.

He was questioned not just about this incident but also about six similar cases where local businesses and amenities were targeted by metal thieves in recent weeks. They were:

1.         18 January: Tenbury Swimming Pool, Kyrewood Road, Tenbury Wells;

2.         12 January:  Malvern Splash Leisure Pool, Priory Rd, Malvern;

3.         12 January:  Wilkinson's, Edith Walk, Malvern;

4.         20 December to 5 January: The Chase School, Geraldine Road, Malvern;

5.         19 to 22 December: Nat West Bank, Church St, Malvern;

6.         19 to 20 December: Malvern Splash Leisure Pool, Priory Rd, Malvern

Inspector Jane Francis, who leads local policing in Malvern Hills, said: "Like the rest of country, Malvern has seen a large increase in the number of metal thefts in recent years and we are aware of the negative impact they are having on the community.

"This series of air conditioner thefts has been a serious setback for the properties affected, not just because of the cost to replace them but it affected their ability to operate.

"Our officers have been proactively patrolling areas of Malvern Hills identified as vulnerable to metal thefts and it was because of their activity this man was stopped and arrested.

"He has been released on bail as we continue to investigate. We are doing all we can to counter metal thieves in Malvern and I would like to ask the public to do what they can to help.

"Please contact West Mercia Police if you see any suspicious activity, in particular any work vehicles that seem out of place or unusual activity around public buildings and local infrastructure such as railway lines or electricity substations."

If you have any information about these or other metal thefts, West Mercia Police can be contacted via the non-emergency police number 101 or information can be passed on anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.