Thieves in £70,000 brass taps raid on scrap firm

POLICE are hoping CCTV images will help catch thieves who raided a scrap metal firm in Newton Abbot and fled with 25-tonnes of brass taps worth £70,000.

The gang broke into Gorman Metal Ltd in Kingsteignton Road and used the firm's own handling cranes to fill a truck waiting on the other side of the fence.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft and the boss of the company has offered a £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits.

The taps were taken from the scrap metal yard on Sunday, February 10, between 5pm and 9pm.

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Police believe a large red and white truck was used in the raid, with possibly a dark car and small white panel van also involved.

Russell Toghill, who owns the business, said CCTV pictures were being enhanced by the police for clues.

They showed a white Renault Premier tractor unit with a bright red trailer resembling a bath in shape.

"There can't be many trailers like that," Mr Toghill said.

He said thieves cut a chain link fence at the rear of Gorman's yard and pushed aside razor wire to gain access.

Mr Toghill said the brass was the most valuable commodity on the site. Few people knew it was there, and it was concealed beneath a 12m long steel container.

Two of Gorman's crane-like Fuchs handling machines were used by thieves to load the brass.

Police say it was fairly quiet due to Sunday trading and most premises being shut at that time.

A police spokesman added: "The haul is estimated to have weighed around 25 tonnes — this large amount of metal will need to be off-loaded and sold to someone.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have been offered silver-plated brass taps. In addition we would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed anything around the time of the incident."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting ref JN/13/372.