The first incident occurred at an address on Coney Green Way in Dothill. At around 12.30am, thieves approached the house and entered the kitchen area through what may have been an insecure side door. They then took two sets of car keys off the kitchen table and used the keys to steal two vehicles off the drive.

The two vehicles stolen in this incident were a silver Ford Fiesta Zetec and a red Citroen C5. Both vehicles have since been recovered and forensic work is ongoing to see whether there is any evidence in them that can help police identify the offenders.

A police spokesman said:

“When the Ford Fiesta was recovered, items were found inside that police have now linked to a second incident that occurred on Sunday morning.

“This incident occurred at the William Withering public house on New Street in Wellington some time between 4am and 4.30am.

“It appears that at around that time, thieves entered the beer garden at the pub and used garden tables to climb up and remove two white ‘Dome Hawk’ CCTV cameras from the external wall.

“It appears the thieves then made off with the cameras in a vehicle of some sort.

“A short time later, the Ford Fiesta Zetec stolen from Dothill was spotted near Wrekin College and two men were seen to decamp from it and make off on foot.

“When the vehicle was searched by officers, CCTV cameras were found inside that appear similar to those that were later reported stolen from the William Withering public house.

“Although they are keeping an open mind, officers are now looking at the distinct possibility that these two offences are linked and therefore they are very keen to speak to anyone who believes they may have information about either of them.

“Anyone with information about either of these incidents is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident numbers 123S 190114 or 422S 190114.

“Alternatively, please remember that Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you’d rather leave information without identifying yourself.”