A MALVERN business owner has claimed his Christmas has been ruined after thieves stole a bag containing around £10,000 from his van.
Mark White, who owns First Choice Blinds, told the Observer he has been left hurt and devastated after he realised months of invoice payments and personal information were no longer in his white Citroen van last Wednesday morning.
The theft is believed to have happened between Sunday, December 4 at 1pm and Wednesday, December 7 at 8am on a driveway in Highfield Road.
Offenders ‘gained entry’ into the vehicle which had a grey canvas holdall containing business receipts, invoices and cheques to the value of £3,000. Police say around £7,000 in cash was also stolen. There were no signs of forced entry.
Mr White, 39, admitted the van’s locking system was known to have played up a few times but thought he had the van secure when leaving it at recent times.
“I was clearing out the van on the Wednesday morning and realised the bag which contained the money was no longer there,” he said.
“I thought I must have put it in the house but after looking entirely and not finding it, I panicked and reported it to the police.
“The police are under the impression I have been watched and they (offenders) have seized on an opportunity which is not a nice feeling.
“It hurts me to think someone could have been watching me and using me as a victim of crime.
“I’ve had to tell people I love that my Christmas won’t be a good one this year.”
Mr White also claimed the thieves made more than 100 transactions on a credit card – which was in the bag – since the theft was reported.
“I’ve been up all night making notes of transactions of under £30 done via contactless payments to the police.
“If anyone has any information then please let me or the police know.”
West Mercia Police have been looking into the incident and has urged people to come forward with any information.
A spokesman for the force said: “The victim’s white Citroen van was broken into on Highfield Road, Malvern and a bag reported to contain a large amount of cash, cheques and personal documents is believed to have been taken.
“Officers are appealing for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area between the stated times to contact them.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 393s of 7 December.
