A MAN is appealing for information after a rifle was stolen from his car on Wednesday night.
Tony Broughton was at the St Mary’s Church on Church Road, Speen, when the .22 bolt action rifle was stolen from his grey Vauxhall Corsa between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.
Mr Broughton, who is a licensed holder of the rifle, lives in Devon but spends his time in Newbury working at a farm in Inkpen.
He said: “They also took a jacket and a scarf. The gun was not in view but when the car was broken into they came across the rifle.
“It’s also got telescopic sight so you could shoot someone from half a mile away. I’m hoping that someone might spot someone wearing of the items in the car which will lead us to the rifle.”
Mr Broughton said he left the rifle in the car while he was in the church listening to a lecture but he never expected someone to break into the car.
He added: “It was under the street light and right outside, so it’s a bit of a shock.”
Thieves managed to break into the rear window of the car, stealing two jackets, a scarf and a pair of gloves before making off with the rifle.
One of the jackets has a Somerfield logo on it and the other jacket is salmon coloured. The scarf has grey and white stripes and the gloves have a piece missing on the back.
Romy Freiburghaus, Crime Reduction Advisor for West Berkshire said: “This careless behaviour does not only make you a victim of crime, but you also potentially endanger other people’s life through your negligence.
“Never leave anything on display in your car. Even an item covered up on the back seat is a temptation for someone to ‘smash and grab’, which this week’s incident proves.
“By following this simple rule you can minimise the risk of becoming a victim of car crime.”
In a series of other incidents thieves broke into Park House School, Andover Road, on the night of Monday and Tuesday, the 9 and 10 February.
The offenders gained entry into the science lab by forcing open a window and it is believed a couple of lockers were tampered with but nothing was taken.
Headteacher at the school, Derek Peaple, confirmed there was an attempt to break into the building and that police were currently investigating the incident.
On the same night a garage was broken into on Bartlemy Road and a Toyota Starlet parked in Knightsbridge Road, Newbury, was hotwired and the thieves moved the car 50 yards down the road.
In a separate incident, on Tuesday, February 10, a Peugeot 206 in Wendan Road was broken into and some items were taken from the car.
Anyone with any information should about the incidents should contact the Police Enquiry Centre on 08458 505505 or alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.