THIEVES have stolen three metal postboxes from the Oswestry area in midweek raids.


The thefts of the boxes in Park Drive, Whittington Road and Shellbrook Hill, Sodyllt between last Monday night and Tuesday morning have been linked to several others across the border in the Wrexham area and Shropshire police officers have liaised with colleagues in North Wales Police.
 

The offenders managed to gain entry to the post boxes before unbolting them and leaving the posts in situ.
 

However, police have hit back to ensure that metal thieves have nowhere to sell their ill-gotten gains.
 

Police Constable Melanie Davies, who is investigating the thefts, appealed for anyone who might have information about any of the incidents to contact her on 101. Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
 

West Mercia Police are trying to make the task of selling the illegally sourced scrap more difficult by signing up the county’s 20 dealers to a voluntary code of conduct.
 

Sergeant Tim Lever, who has been co-ordinating the operation in Shropshire, said he hoped to eventually have every scrap metal merchant signed up to the scheme, which will remove the main market for metal thieves stolen goods.


Last Thursday, Shropshire officers took part in a ‘day of action’ to target those transporting scrap in the county.
 

Throughout the day, spot checks were carried out on any vehicles carrying scrap to ensure the cargo is genuine and that the drivers were properly licensed and insured.