£25,000 of hunting and camping gear stolen in raids

Police have appealed for information following the raids, which officers believe to be linked

The high-value clothing was taken when burglars targeted Tamarack Outdoors on the Creamery Industrial Estate in Barnacre, near Garstang, and at an industrial unit in Lancaster.

Police say they believe the two raids were carried out by the same people.

Officers have now appealed to The Gazette’s readers for help in catching the burglars, who stole hunting jackets, camping jackets, camping trousers, outdoor jackets, and boots, worth a combined total of around £25,000.

The thieves removed a window at Tamarack Outdoors in Kenlis road before getting in and helping themselves to branded clothing, including Swazi, Norrona, and Woolpower, at around 7pm last Monday, police said.

They say a similar theft took place from an industrial unit in Wyresdale Road in Lancaster at around 7pm on Wednesday, November 18.

Similar to the Barnacre raid, the thieves got into the building by removing a window and cutting their way through metal bars.

PC Matthew Betts, from Lancaster Police, said: “These crimes were similar in nature and we would appeal to anyone with information to contact us.

“Some of the clothing removed is not available anywhere else in this country and I would ask anyone who has been offered or bought this products to contact us immediately.”

Tamarack Outdoors is a family-run business catering for walkers, trekkers, campers, and hunters.

It also offers a range of outdoor courses and mentoring programmes, and works with youth groups.

Any information can be reported by calling police on 101 and quoting crime reference number WB1509595 for the Garstang theft or WB1509463 for the Lancaster theft.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.