WISBECH: Thieves steal thousands of pounds worth of metal- and sell it to nearby scrapyard

THIEVES stole thousands of pounds worth of metal from a Wisbech engineering firm and then drove just three miles to sell it to a nearby scrap-yard.

And the arrogant thieves broke in to the machinery shop, belonging to Priden Engineering, in Anglia Way, a staggering three times in one week.

On the first break-in they were believed to be carrying out a reccy, but they then went back the following night and stole a quantity of cast and fabricated components.

But if that wasn't enough, they then returned a couple of days later and headed off with another haul.

The metal taken is worth tens of thousands of pounds to the company, however it would only be worth the value of scrap for the thieves.

Andy Fordham, pneumatics director at the company, said on a hunch he visited the nearby scrap yard to see if the metal had been sold on.

He visited the scrapyard in Osborne Road, and found some Priden components there.

The scrap yard merchant was not aware the metal had been stolen.

Fortunately, following the first break-in, Mr Fordham had removed some of the castings from the site, which was worth some �10,000 - which would have been taken had it remained.

Mr Fordham, said: "I just think it is disgusting, do they not have anything better to do, and it just makes me feel quite sick.

"We are offering a substantial reward for any information which will lead to the arrest of the offenders and results in the return of the metal."

The company has now stepped up security at the site including installing more CCTV cameras.

A spokesman for the police, said: "Three to four tons of scrap metal was stolen from the former overnight, May 27 to 28, and several thousand pounds worth of metal was stolen from the latter between May 29 and 31."

DC Al Bassam, said: "We believe the same people are behind both of these burglaries.