Thieves raid business compound (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Gang stole cars and machinery in Sherfield-on-Loddon

5:34pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Chris Gregory

A GANG stole thousands of pounds worth of vehicles and garden machinery after a raid on businesses in a north Hampshire village.

The large-scale burglary took place on the night of Wednesday, February 1 at a compound in Wildmoor Lane, Sherfield-on-Loddon, which houses several small businesses.

They stole four cars, including two blue BMW estate cars, after breaking into containers belonging to Dexlia Motor Company, which sells second-hand cars.

They also broke into an office and containers used by Strong Landscapes, and stole tools such as saws and a hedge trimmer, and two Ivor Williams trailers, one of which is worth nearly £4,000.

A JCB digger belonging to Berry Fencing, the fencing contractor, was also stolen.

Detective Constable Natalie Stallworthy said: “A large number of items worth a significant amount of money have been stolen and I am keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard any disturbance at the compound.

“It would have taken some time to move all these tools, machinery and vehicles so someone must have seen something suspicious going on.”

Anyone with information can contact DC Stallworthy at Basingstoke police station on 101, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.