Police Investigate Burglary On Herefordshire Industrial Estate

Police officers are investigating following a burglary on an industrial estate in Herefordshire.

The break-in occurred at an engineering business on an estate in Kingstone sometime between 7.30pm on Monday 28 November and 7.45am on Tuesday 29 November.

Sometime overnight it appears that thieves entered Manumech Engineering Services by cutting off a padlock on the gate that allows entry to the yard.

The thieves then broke into a portacabin and a workshop that are on site, carried out a thorough search of the buildings and stole a number of items from inside.

A police spokesman said:

"It appears that while carrying out a search of the premises the thieves stole a set of keys from a key cabinet inside one of the buildings. They then used these keys to steal a white Mercedes 313 ‘Tipper' van to flee the scene in. The van also had a double axled Ifor Williams trailer attached to it and this was also stolen by the thieves.

"The total cost of the items stolen in this burglary is thought to be more than £30,000 and it appears that the Mercedes van and trailer were used to transport all the stolen items away from the premises.

"Other items taken in this burglary include an ‘R Tech' Tip Plant machine, a brand new set of Lorch welding equipment, a Pug steel cutting kit, a full set of masonry equipment and a number of power tools and drills

"In addition, more than £2000 of copper wire - which is thought to have been in the Ifor Williams trailer - was also stolen as a result of the burglary.

"On leaving the scene in the Mercedes van, it is thought the thieves turned right out of the yard and made off in the direction of Kingstone village itself.

"Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have information about this burglary, especially anyone who saw any unusual behaviour or suspicious vehicles in and around Kingstone on Monday night.

"Anyone who believes they may have information about this incident is asked to contact police in Hereford on 101 - the new West Mercia Police non emergency telephone number.

"Alternatively, please remember that information can also be left anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you'd rather not get directly involved yourself."

Issued: Wednesday 30 November 2011