Gang grabs £20,000 of metal

Aluminium worth £20,000 was stolen from a factory in Burntwood. The aluminium coils were stolen in a raid on ITW Highland UK on the Chasewater Heath's Business Park, it was revealed today

Thieves got on to the site through an open gate in a white van, described as long-wheelbase or similar.

They used fork lift trucks, believed to belong to the company in Attwood Road, to load the van with the aluminium coils, on Friday between 6.15pm and 6.25pm.

Burntwood inspector Ashley Farrington said: "This was a high value offence, we are talking in the value of £20,000 of aluminium which was stolen.

"The police would appeal for anyone with information regarding the offence or knows where this aluminium has gone to please contact us." The suspects are described as three white men.

ITW - which stands for Illinois Tool Works - manufactures presswork for the automotive and non-automotive industries.

Increasing amounts of metal are being stolen by thieves - many targeting lorries carrying copper, aluminium or steel.

Lorry hijackings are rocketing throughout the West Midlands as armed robbers target valuable metal cargoes.

Anyone with information should call Pc Robert Mitchell on 08453 302010 or Crimestoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555111.