Travellers hit road with clothes haul

A GANG of travellers who blatantly broke into a factory, smashing CCTV cameras and stealing £40,000 worth of children’s clothes, are being sought by police.

The raiders cut padlocks on gates at Swan Mill Processing, Duke Mill, Refuge Street, Shaw, after moving security cameras.

The vandals stole a substantial amount of clothes — then hit the road.

Owner Catherine Tong said the premeditated raid began when someone went on to the site and moved CCTV sensors. She added: “It took some time for them to break into the gates. If we had seen them earlier, we could have called police.

“There were nine caravans and about 30 people so the police were outnumbered and the inspector advised me to go to county court and get an eviction order. But they left before we could.

“CCTV engineers said they were captured smashing the cameras and a barrier, so we do have evidence of criminal damage.

“Businesses should be warned because the CCTV people said this is happening a lot — they are leaving a trail of destruction.”

The firm has sealed off two of three entrances to the site with concrete barriers and is using only one for extra security.

Catherine believes the total damage amounts to £80,000.

She added: “We have been here since 2004 and never had any problems or had to make an insurance claim.”

Oldham Council environmental officers were called but the travellers, who were on private land, had already fled when they arrived.

Greater Manchester Police were also called in.

A spokeswoman said: “At about 7pm on Thursday police had been called to Refuge Street following reports that a large number of travellers had set up camp.

“At about 8am on Friday police were called following reports of a burglary.

“Sometime between 7pm the previous night and 7.30am that morning, CCTV cameras and security lights at a near-by industrial unit were vandalised.

“A clothing firm was broken into and a substantial amount of stock was stolen.”

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Oldham police on 0161-856 8983 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.