Metal thieves ram-raided a Black Country DIY store today, getting away with hundreds of pounds worth of copper after smashing through a shutter.

A white van was used to  crash into the protective frontage of Capital Hardware & Glazing Ltd in West Bromwich.

A resident living above the business called police after hearing the break-in at 3am. When store owner Abdul Shakoor arrived minutes later he found six packs of copper piping measuring three metres long and worth £78 each had been taken.

The father of three said: “It’s very bad – awful. The damage to the shutter will cost £3-4,000 alone, and I will also have to replace the piping. Business is difficult as it is, without having to deal with this.”

Police were at the scene in Church Lane today, and have also obtained CCTV from Rimstock PLC opposite.

Mr Shakoor said: “It’s never happened before, we have only been here nine months, it’s a big blow.”

A 26-year-old decorator who lives in the flats above the shop but asked not to be named, said he heard what sounded like “an earthquake”.

“I saw two guys in hoodies running to a van. They were dragging metal piping .”

Police spokesman Billy Corrigan said a van believed to be involved was found a short distance away.