THREE businesses have been targeted by criminals who are stealing wheels from Ford Transit vans in Hereford.

West Mercia Police has since issued a warning to other business owners as they investigate the crimes in the Rotherwas area of the city.

PCSO Carol Marsh said ZZOOMM, the fibre internet firm based at Sigeric Business Park, reported at 8.11pm on December 2 that a man had stolen wheels from a Transit van.

He was wearing a mid-length coat and left the scene in a pick-up truck.

PCSO Marsh said the crime reference number, which can be used to report information to police online or by calling 101, was 00086_I_02122021.

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At Taylor Lane Timber Frame in Thorn Business Park, a man wearing high-viability clothing was caught on CCTV by a van at 7.05pm on December 6. He left the scene driving a vehicle with chevrons on the rear.

Police did not confirm if wheels had been stolen, but said the incident number was 00622_I_06122021.

PCSO Marsh said a rear wheel was stolen from a van at Millenium Glass in Holme Lacy Road.

The wheel nuts were said to be left in situation, and the theft happened between 5pm on December 6 and 6.10am on December 7.

The incident number was 00085_I_07122021.

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In a plea to business owners, police told them to plan parking, consider CCTV and home and business security.

"Parking your van in a well-lit area where a lot of people can see it will make opportunistic thieves think twice," police said.

"Park it in clear view of a CCTV camera system, and even more-methodical criminals may reconsider their plans.

"Some savvy van owners also take advantage of modern wireless security systems.

"As well as standalone wireless alarms, you can install wireless cameras and contact sensors on your van can be linked up to your house or business alarm whenever the van is parked nearby."