Raiders stole 15 tons of metal by forcing doors at a factory in Lye.

Police today appealed for information to catch the thieves who made off with the metal discs from Midland Deburr and Finishing.

They forced their way in through a back door in Bromley Street before opening front shutters to take away 24 bags of the discs.

Sgt Richard Narrowmore said: “These discs are heavy and are distinctive.

“Not only would they have been difficult to load and transport from one site to another, the nature of the design on the plates would have made them memorable to anyone who may have been offered them as scrap or for sale.”

The discs have two raised ridges across their centre, with a series of smaller raised ridges in a circular pattern out to their edge.

Bosses at the firm on the Lye Valley Industrial Estate, which finishes metal castings, were unavailable for comment today. Police say the raid happened between 3.30pm on August Bank Holiday Monday and 6am the following day.

Anyone able to help the police investigation should call the Local Priorities Team at Brierley Hill police station on 0345 113 5000 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

It is the latest in a string of metal thefts across the region. Dudley Police recently launched Operation Kryptonite to tackle the problem.