By Martin Walker
Police are investigating a number of crimes committed on Aycliffe Industrial Park last week.
One offence has resulted in the theft of an exhaust from a van, while a separate incident involved five gallons of diesel being stolen.
On the evening of Wednesday February 15 (about 5pm) into 7.30am on the Thursday (7.30am), a burglary was reported at the Waste Transfer Station on Long Tens Way.
Entry was forced into the transfer station via a first floor door and, once inside, a five-gallon drum containing red diesel was stolen.
Between 5pm on the same evening (February 15) and 10am on the Thursday, suspects have approached a Citroen Relay van ‘55’ reg, parked on Spring Road, and interfered with the fuel tank.
Nothing was stolen, but police believe the two crimes may be connected.
Meanwhile, between 10.50pm and 11pm on Thursday February 16, two suspects, both believed to be male, were seen climbing over a perimeter fence into a compound on Whitworth Avenue.
They have then approached a Mercedes Sprinter van where after gaining entry to the van’s bonnet, have stolen the exhaust.
Both males were described as medium build, around 5’ 10” in height and were last seen walking along Whinbank Road with the exhaust.
Neighbourhood Police Sergeant Mark Edwards said: “A number of enquiries have developed which are been looked at but we would like to hear from any witnesses who may have been driving through the Industrial Estate on the night in question around the times mentioned and who may have seen a couple of males looking suspicious.
“It is possible that members of the public may have been going into or leaving work for night/late shift and seen these people but not thought too much about it at the time.”
Meanwhile, at around 4am on Saturday February 18, two males were arrested after they were disturbed within a compound on Whitworth Avenue, after it is suspected that they were tampering with diesel tanks. Both men were later released on bail.
“These crimes are all of note given that they have all occurred within a short period of time on the Industrial Estate,” added Sergeant Edwards.
“There is a Business Watch scheme that operates on the Business Park that the Police and a large percentage of local companies are members of.
“This scheme involves the sharing of information between companies and the Police and is an invaluable source of intelligence.
“I would encourage any local firms who are not part of the scheme to strongly consider joining up.”
Further information can be obtained from PCSO Ben Cloke at Newton Aycliffe Police Station or the Community Liaison Officer Neil Langthorne within the Safer Neighbourhood Unit at Spennymoor Police Office.