Market Drayton burglars stealing to feed their drug habit, say police

The number of burglaries in the town has increased over recent months, and there have been at least seven break-ins since November 10.

Laptops, hair straighteners and money have been among the items taken, and two people have since been arrested and jailed, according to police.

The thefts have seen local shops ransacked, homes broken in to and in some cases there have been break-ins without anything being taken.

The news comes after break-ins involving parked cars and charity shops as well as a raid on a home in Ashley Heath. Thieves took watches and jewellery from the home, including an emerald surrounded with diamonds.

Constable Mick Sturland, of West Mercia Police's Market Drayton safer neighbourhood team, said those responsible had been thieves stealing items to sell to buy drugs.

But he played down claims that crime was on the rise due to street lights in the town being switched off between midnight and 5am as part of Shropshire Council's energy saving scheme.

A petition started in the town now has almost 600 signatures in a bid to get the lights turned back on.

Constable Sturland said: "It has been a mix of all sorts, laptops, hair straighteners and money taken.

"But it is important to say that two local males have been arrested on suspicion of burglary. One after a lengthy foot chase across fields in Woodseaves who has since been imprisoned for six months.

"A second man was arrested and has been imprisoned for four months.

"This is a spike caused by local prolific offenders who commit crime to feed their drug habits.

"There has not been an overall rise in crime because of any street lights switch-off.

"The police welcome the public assistance by providing intelligence about criminal activity which in turn, assists us in being able to tie crimes in to these suspects."

Councillor Tim Beckett, mayor of Market Drayton, said: "This time of the year unfortunately does see an increase in burglaries but that's not to say we have to accept this statistic.

"People need to report any suspicious activity around their area to the police.

"Extra police activity is also required to discourage burglaries as quite a few of them are opportunists. Hopefully we can then help to eliminate the stress and upset of families going through the heart break of a burglary so close to Christmas."