Extra patrols tackle thefts at Wednesbury retail park

Police have stepped up patrols at a retail park following a spate of thefts. Officers are investigating thefts at the Gallagher Retail Park in Wednesbury

There have been 14 incidents recorded since last month, with Decathlon, Boots and B&Q among the shops targeted by thieves. Seven arrests have been made during the crackdown.

Meanwhile, councillors are calling for a meeting to discuss how security can be boosted with improved fencing at the back of the site and hi-tech CCTV cameras.

The thieves are using a gap in the fencing in Poplar Road to sneak onto the site and break into stores before making a quick getaway.

"This has been a real problem in recent weeks," said Wednesbury councillor Peter Hughes.

"Lots of residents have witnessed thieves climbing back out of the gap with tents from Decathlon.

"Bosses from the retail park recently tried to repair the gap in the metal part of the fence but overnight the thieves had cut through it again with wire cutters."

Councillor Hughes said they wanted a meeting with police and bosses of the retail park, which is near Ikea and junction nine of the M6, to discuss what could be done to improve the fencing and CCTV.

Police say Decathlon has been targeted on seven occasions – on April 7, 15, 19, 28 and May 8, 17, 23 – and B&Q three times – on May 3, 18 and 19.

TK Maxx, Boots and Outfit have each been targeted once.

Sgt Steve Knight said: "Gallagher Retail Park is very popular amongst shoppers and regularly attracts many thousands of visitors because of its range of stores and proximity to the M6.

"This does of course attract shoplifters as well as law abiding citizens, and we carry out regular high visibility patrols to counter this problem and to catch offenders in the act."