Business owners on a Shropshire industrial estate have called for action claiming a spate of break-ins had put their companies under threat.

Company bosses on the Hadley Park Industrial Estate, Telford, say that they have been subjected to a spate of burglaries, including one business which has been hit three times in just eight weeks.

Ian Ball, director of M&B Mini Buses, says his business is being constantly broken into and it is costing his company a fortune.

He said that in the latest break-in, thieves made off with £9,000 worth of fuel.

Mike Coleman, co-owner of GGS Automotives, said his garage, which has been running for 15 years, may have to move because of the break-ins.

The business owners have hit out at Telford & Wrekin Council, which own the buildings, after they were told there was no money to secure their garages.

Councillor Eric Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for regeneration, said the authority had previously installed security gates and added a security guard would now appear on site.

Mr Coleman said his business was last broken into yesterday morning and he arrived to discover the thieves had ripped off part of the roof to get inside.

Mr Ball said: “We have a grill on our windows and the burglars pulled that back and left.

“Thankfully they didn’t get in and they have not come back, but they could.

“Every week here someone seems to be targeted.

“We don’t sleep right at night, it’s an absolute nightmare. We pay our rent and the council says they have no money.”

Mr Coleman said: “This has been going on for too long now.

“The business has been going 15 years but we are at the point now where we are thinking about packing it in.

“We are going to approach all of the other businesses to see about getting our own security guard or CCTV because this has to stop.”

Councillor Carter said the council had arranged for private security patrols with effect from last night.

He said: “There has been an increase in crime generally in recent weeks in the Hadley area and Telford & Wrekin Council has asked the police to increase patrols locally.

“The council sympathises with businesses that have been targeted and will continue to act responsibly to help combat this issue.”

Inspector Andy Bentley, from Telford Police, said anyone with information about the incidents should call officers on 0300 3333000.