BURGLARS have stolen a valuable haul of plastic from an industrial warehouse in Runcorn.

Cheshire Police today appealed for information as it mounts an investigation

Around 500 tonnes of Marlex branded high density polyethylene was taken from a warehouse in Manor Park, between 4pm on Friday, February 21 and 7am on Monday, February 24.

Officers are currently following up a number of lines of enquiry including checking CCTV footage and any forensic enquiries.

DC Deborah Morgan said: "We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area at the time and may have seen the items being moved from the site to contact us immediately. This would have taken some time to remove from the area.

"We are also appealing to anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area over the course of the weekend to get in touch.

"We would also urge anyone who may know where the items are - or who may be approached with a view to buying the items - to come forward. The plastic was in the form of beads and packaged in white plastic bags.

"Likewise, if anyone has any information regarding those responsible then please come forward."

Anyone with any information, which could assist officers with their enquiries, is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 104 of 24 February.

Information can also be left anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

The items stolen are - 500 tonnes of Marlex branded high density polyethylene (HDPE). The targeted grades were 5502BN, 50100 and TR131. These resins are used to make bottles, film, pipe and sheet. The producer is CPChem. The material is fully traceable via batch numbers and analysis.

Biesterfeld Petroplas, which was storing the items in the industrial warehouse, is the only authorised distributor for this material in Great Britain.