Postbox stolen in North Wales to be sold on eBay

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... -31408726/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

THIEVES stole a postbox and smashed the door off another in a night time raid.

Detectives believe the iconic red boxes, targeted in rural areas of Wrexham, may be being stolen to be sold on eBay.

One was lifted off its pedestal at the junction of Gresford Road and Forest Road near Llay.

The other had its door ripped off on Croeshowell Lane, Burton, but was not completely stolen.


Royal Mail officials have asked people who suspect they may have had mail in the boxes to get in touch.

Urging people to be vigilant for suspicious activity around post boxes, Wrexham rural Insp Nick Evans said such incidents had not happened in the area before.

“In recent days we have had two thefts of postboxes reported,” he said.

“At first it was thought they had been taken for scrap metal, as we have quite a high number of scrap metal thefts in the area, but further investigations revealed they are probably being sold in their own right.

“Postboxes appear to fetch quite high prices when they are sold online and we think this the reason they have been taken.

“It appears that the offenders have used a chisel to break the rivets on the box before taking them.

“We would urge anyone who sees any suspicious activity around postboxes at night to get in touch with police.

“We would also asked people not to buy any postboxes offered for sale and instead report any such incidents to us.”

Yesterday on eBay, similar style cast iron post boxes were selling between £225 and £375.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Val Bodden said: “We can confirm the theft and vandalism attacks on these postboxes.

“Thankfully this is not a significant problem for Royal Mail, but we take each case of theft or vandalism seriously and fully investigate.

“We would urge anyone with information regarding these incidents to contact the police.

“We would also ask customers who may have posted items before the theft or vandalism was discovered, to report it to Royal Mail Customer Services.

“We would also seek to replace any postbox that has been stolen or vandalised.”

Both were taken between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning July 14.

Anybody with information is asked to contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Royal Mail Customer Services can be contacted on 08457 740740.

[Lounge Lizard]

Wrexham rural Insp Nick Evans saying “Postboxes appear to fetch quite high prices when they are sold online. It appears that the offenders have used a chisel to break the rivets on the box before taking them" doesn't help the cause of crime prevention especially as he details how to steal them. Another fine example of 'police intelligence'.

[DGP1]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cast-Iron-GR- ... 3377868b14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-ROYA ... 19d3281d65" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cast-Iron-GR- ... 4aa969d6b7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I found these in a few minutes of looking...............maybe I could get a job in the police with my detective skills