Nissan dumped and set alight

Tuesday 16th June 2009, 11:36AM BST.

A car stolen from across the north Shropshire border was dumped and set on fire in Market Drayton this morning.

And a car which had been parked near to where the burning car was found was reported stolen to police a short time later.

A police officer on patrol came across the red Nissan Micra on fire in Betton at about 6am today. The car had been reported stolen from Newcastle-under-Lyme in the early hours.

It was then discovered that a car parked nearby, a yellow Vauxhall Corsa, had been broken into.

Another car parked nearby, a green Fiat Punto with the registration V371 FNF, was reported stolen a short time later.

Maria Hawkaluk, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said officers were linking the incidents to reports of suspicious people seen in the Smithfield Road and Sambrook Crescent areas between about 4am and 5.20am today.

“A white man and woman were seen in gardens and claimed they were looking for a dog when challenged by one member of the public. They are then believed to have made off in a small, dark-coloured car,” she said.

The woman is in her late teens to 20s, with dark hair and wearing a red tracksuit top with white stripes and dark trousers. The man is in his 20s, 5ft 11in, thin build, wearing grey or blue clothing. Information to police on 0300 333 3000.

View more: Market Drayton news.