Burglars raid angling shop
Raiders escaped with thousands of pounds worth of fishing tackle today after smashing their way into a newly-opened Telford angling shop. Raiders escaped with thousands of pounds worth of fishing tackle today after smashing their way into a newly-opened Telford angling shop. The thieves, believed to be a professional gang, broke through the roof of a neighbouring fish and chip shop and dismantled alarms at Oakengates Angling Centre. Goods worth about £3,000 were taken - a financial disaster for the Emlyn family who own the shop, as they did not have any insurance. Father Kelvin Emlyn, 55, and sons 28-year-old David, and Gareth, 34, opened the shop in Slaney Street on February 1. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
They got into the back yard and ripped wire mesh off a rear toilet window at the angling shop, before punching a hole through its door into a corridor and knocking a one sq ft hole in an interior wall.
They then wriggled into the showroom and grabbed three poles, 20 rods, 30 reels, seat boxes, hooks and four umbrellas before squeezing back through the hole with their haul.
The raiders also cut the phone lines, ripped down a CCTV camera and removed the tape from its recorder.
Goods worth about £3,000 were taken - a financial disaster for the Emlyn family who own the shop, as they did not have any insurance. Father Kelvin Emlyn, 55, and sons 28-year-old David, and Gareth, 34, opened the shop in Slaney Street on February 1.
They discovered a scene of devastation when they arrived at the shop this morning after the overnight raid.
David said: "We've always been a fishing family and all had rods in our hands before we could even walk.
"It was our dream to open this shop, but we couldn't afford insurance as we were so stretched financially to start our business."
"They only took specific brands and items, so it looks like they stole to order," said David.
Police are currently questioning a man apprehended near the shop in the early hours today. A forensic team has examined the premises.
