Burglary gang targeting Shropshire pubs
A gang of burglars are believed to be targeting pubs in the county, striking at three in just one night.
One landlady today described how burglars broke into her north Shropshire pub as she slept, and stole around £1,000 in coins.
The White Lion Inn at Ash Magna was broken into along with the The Red Lion at Bomere Heath and the Railway Inn at Yorton.
White Lion landlady Margaret Bentley was asleep with her husband Roger when the gang broke in and roamed around their home.
The 66-year-old pensioner said: "I feel so sad that someone has come into my home and has had the gall to go through my things.
"I can't understand how someone can feel has the guts to invade my premises. I am very upset about it.
"They just came here for the money. They went for the till, and in the office where I had a money box with all my spare money in which I was saving to give to my granddaughter, which hurts the most.
"It was just £1 and £2 coins and any spare money I had, and I reckon they must have got away with about £1,000.
"I feel violated and haven't felt safe in the pub since. I have been up in the night turning all the lights on when I have heard a noise, and before it hasn't bothered me at all."
Police say all three burglaries are linked and say pubs may be being targeted in the region.
At the Railway Inn, landlady Liz Newnes was also asleep in the pub when the burglary took place.
She said: "It was a shock. They came here and went through my entire house, including the private part of the pub.
"They forced one of the bay windows through and only took a minimal amount of money, about £80 to £100. But knowing somebody has been in your house and through your drawers is horrible. I'm just glad I slept through it all because if I had confronted them I dread to think what they might have done."
Investigating officer Pc Chris Peel today appealed for information about the raids, which happened in the early hours of Monday.
People should contact CID at Shrewsbury police station on 101.
