Appeal following burglaries at veterinary surgeries

Police are appealing for witnesses after three veterinary surgeries were broken into.

At 8.56pm on Thursday 14 October a burglary occurred at a surgery in Chester Road, Hartford where a car was taken. No drugs were stolen.

At 10.32pm that evening, two to three suspects broke into the vets in Ditchfield Road, Widnes taking drugs from the premises before fleeing in a waiting vehicle.

At 11.38pm, a third surgery was broken into in Victoria Road in Runcorn. Nothing was taken in this instance.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area and saw anyone acting suspiciously or has dashcam footage that may help with our enquiries to contact police.

Inspector Rob Balfour said: “Public Health England have been informed. The drugs that were taken from the surgery are designed for the use in animals and are fatal if taken, so I’d strongly advise that if you are offered Dolethal, or a ketamine called Anesketin, or methadone called Comfortan - do not take it. These particular drugs are incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands and you will be putting yourself at considerable risk. We’d advise not taking any illegal drugs, but we understand some will, which is why we are taking this opportunity to warn the public.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or via the website quoting IML 1108538 for Widnes, IML 1108487 for Hartford and IML1108561 for Runcorn.

Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.