Tip-offs to police over Wollerton machete raids

Police investigating an horrific burglary in which a pregnant mother was tied up while thieves ransacked her Wollerton home said today they had received a number of tip-offs.

West Mercia Police said people had come forward with information to help them catch the gang.

Officers are working with forces in North Wales, Merseyside, Staffordshire and West Midlands to trace the three armed men who burst into the home of Victoria Ratheram, in Wollerton, near Market Drayton, just before 9am last Thursday.

A teenage boy needed surgery to his hand after trying to protect his mother when the gang struck at a neighbouring home.

Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said today: "We have had a number of people come forward with items of information following the two burglaries for which we are very grateful and the information is still being processed and looked into by the investigation team.

"However we believe there may be other people out there with information about the identity of the offenders or people in the village who may have seen something suspicious relating to the crimes either the day before or during the early hours of last Thursday.

"Anyone with information should call Shrewsbury or Oswestry CID on 0300 333 3000. Information can also be given to the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 for which a reward of up to £1,000 may be paid."

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