Shropshire Star

5,000 shotgun shells stolen in raid on agricultural firm

Thousands of shotgun cartridges worth £2,000 have been stolen from an agricultural business in a Shropshire village, police revealed today.

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Supporting image for story: 5,000 shotgun shells stolen in raid on agricultural firm

At least 5,000 cartridges were taken from Ellmor Limited agricultural and farm contractors, in Marchamley, near Market Drayton.

Officers said that at least 20 boxes, each containing 250 cartridges of various gauges, had been taken from the business at Well House Barn when raiders broke into a locked shipping container.

Police are appealing for information as they try to establish the total amount stolen from the business.

Constable Steve Dalziel today warned the offenders may try to sell the stolen shotgun cartridges on.

He said: "It is likely that the offender or offenders had a vehicle due to the rural location of the premises and anyone who might have seen any suspicious activity in Marchamley should contact police.

"The majority of the cartridges were manufactured by R.C. in 20, 16 and 12-bore sizes and a few of the other 20 gauge ones stolen will show the brand 'Bornaghi'.

"As far as we are aware, there are no other suppliers locally that sell these makes so they are fairly distinctive should you be offered them for sale."

Police believe the raid could have been carried out between 8pm and 9pm on Tuesday.

Mayor of Market Drayton, Councillor Steve Glover, said he was shocked at the raid.

He said: "I would imagine someone must know the stuff is in there. It is a vast amount of ammo but there are not that many people with shotguns other than licensed keepers like farmers and shooting clubs.

"A lot of people have air rifles so I wouldn't have any fears that they will be used by the offenders."

Mike Elleton and Roger Morgan, business partners at the firm, were both unavailable to comment today.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.