Burglars steal £10,000 of gear and wreck Walsall business

Burglars smashed their way into a sign-making business leaving a trail of damage before stealing £10,000 worth of equipment.

Two men were seen on CCTV loading some of the machines from Shire Oak Signs and Graphics, near the border of Pelsall and Norton Canes, into the back of a car.

However the owner of the firm has vowed not to be defeated and pledged to restore her business stating those responsible 'haven't got a heart in their body.'

Jen Austin has run the business on the Yates Industrial Estate, in Lime Lane, for four years and has been looking to expand due to its success.

The mother-of-two from Burntwood now faces having to spend years building her business back to the level it was, and is appealing for anyone who knows the thieves to come forward.

They struck at around 7.30pm on Wednesday after smashing a padlock to get into the industrial estate.They then broke locks to the door to get inside Shire Oak Signs and Graphics and trashed the inside of the unit.

Two large printing machines which were between 8-10ft long were taken and put into the back of a Vauxhall Astra, while tools such as heat guns and edge rounding equipment were taken.

Jen, aged 40, was informed by a security guard and has been left devastated. "I built this business up on my own. I just got it to a point I am very busy and I am starting to return a profit," she said.

"They were in there for whatever they could stuff in. It is going to put me back two years but I built it up once, I am determined they are not going to get me down.

"I have had wonderful support from friends and family. I have had lots of offers of help, I can at least keep the orders fulfilled."

The cost of the repairs for the business is expected to increase due to the cost of repairs and Jen is asking anyone who may know those responsible to can police.

"I think they need to be caught and they need to be punished," she said.

"They are not just affecting me they are affecting other businesses in the area as who is next?

"I am at a very basic level but it is going to take a lot of work to get it back where it was. These people haven't got a heart in their body."

Anyone with information can call Staffordshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0300 555 111.