Rochdale business burgled twice in 10 days

Date published: 31 January 2012

Thousands of pounds worth of office equipment, jewellery and cash has been stolen in two burglaries that took place within 10 days of each other at the same business in Rochdale.

It happened at the TJ Booth Associates office on Eastgate Street, off Yorkshire Street.

In the first burglary a security grill was ripped from the front window and a steel panelled door at the back smashed open, sometime between the night of 12 January and the early hours of the following morning.

Laptop computers, mobile phones and small electronic devices were stolen.

In the second burglary between 1.00pm on 21 January 2012 and 8.00am on 23 January 2012 the thieves smashed their way in through the front door using an unknown weapon, and once inside stole a safe containing thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and a substantial amount of cash.

Police have now released pictures of some of the items of jewellery stolen, which include an 18 carat gold ring with a large diamond, a white gold ring with three diamonds, an 18 carat gold bracelet with diamond and emerald inlay with matching ring, an antique silver charm bracelet, an antique gold charm bracelet, an 18 carat gold necklace with drop pearl, an 18 carat gold ring with a diamond and two sapphires, a three strand pearl necklace and a single strand pearl necklace with three pearl strands at the front with silver and diamante clasps.

The owners of the office have offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves or the return of the jewellery.

Police Constable Daniel Shirazi, Community Beat Manager for Rochdale Town Centre, said: "These thieves have made a determined effort to get into this office on two occasions, before stealing thousands of pounds worth of equipment, jewellery and cash.

"In the current economic climate, businesses simply cannot afford to lose money and therefore it is very important for the owners, and the wider business community in Rochdale town centre, that we find these thieves, bring them to justice before they target anyone else and return the property safely back to its rightful place.

"I would like to ask anyone who may have information to come forward.

"It might be you witnessed the office being broken into or have overheard something? If you have, don't dismiss it as being trivial - it could be vitally important. Also, let's not give these thieves an easy ride. Please look at the pictures and descriptions of the jewellery we have issued. If you are offered any of these pieces from anyone other than a licensed dealer, or perhaps you are a pawnbroker and these pieces are presented to you, call us immediately."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9961 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.