A MIDDLEWICH councillor says ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to crime after he was the victim of a £3,000 burglary.

An unknown offender stole a catalytic converter from the company Nissan Cabstar Tipper of Cllr David Latham in Brooks Lane.

It is believed the man climbed over a fence into the premises of David’s joinery and carpentry business and spent more than an hour retrieving the part from the vehicle.

Cllr Latham said: “We know exactly what he’s done we also believe he is local to the area. I do believe this incident is drug-related.

“The cost of replacing the part and getting a mechanic to install it probably cost around £3,000 altogether.

“It’s frustrating because not only does the part have to be replaced but the truck was out of action for a couple of days after the incident and that restricted what I could do and cost me business.

“Middlewich is suffering at the minute. This type of crime seems to be rife and enough is enough.”

David had offered a £1,000 reward for any information leading to the conviction of the burglar but as the investigation has moved forward he has now rescinded the offer.

He said: “This was genuine at the time but we are now at a stage with the police where we think we know who it is.

“We’re at saturation point really with petty thefts. These all seem to be linked in some way and there is a noticeable change in culture in the town.

“Everyone would like more police presence in Middlewich but it really does come down to cost.

“The town council has to pay for its own PCSO and we can’t afford more than we’ve already got.”

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “Between the hours of 7.30pm and 4.35am between October 1 and 2 a Nissan Cabstar Tipper was damaged in the Wheatsheaf Industrial Estate in Brooks Lane.

"CCTV is being examined and investigations are ongoing."

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101 quoting incident number 666 of 02/10/2017.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.