A PARKGATE firm is appealing for information and assistance after thieves stole thousands of pounds worth of stock during a break-in at the weekend.

OHM UK, a leading sound system based on the industrial estate, was burgled overnight on Sunday with unreleased products among the huge haul taken.

As well as appealing for information along with Cheshire Police, the firm – based in Knutsford for more than 40 years – is asking those in the sound industry to be wary of criminals flogging the stolen products.

A Facebook post by the company, shared more than 500 times, said that more than 70 speakers – including new product lines – to the tune of more than £50,000 had been stolen.

Terry Paton, factory manager, said: “We haven’t done a full stock-take yet, but the value we are looking at is £50,000-plus that has gone.

"In terms of actual units, we are looking at around 70 missing.

“They’ve taken tools and copper wire as well, which we use for actually making the speakers and that has basically halted production in certain areas.

“We are trying to generate awareness that these things are out there, and make it as difficult as possible to sell it on. There is a substantial reward for information.

“They have taken some prototypes of a product which is like nothing else out there at the minute. We have all the serial numbers and everything, so if these things do appear they are easily identifiable.

“They have picked certain stock at high value, and components – they must have spent a fair bit of time here.”

Police were alerted to the incident on Monday.

A spokesman said: “Police were called at 8.35am on Monday, October 30 to reports of a burglary at a business in Wellington Close in Knutsford.

"The burglary is believed to have taken place between 6.30pm, October 29 and 8.30am on October 30.”

Call Cheshire Police on 101 with any information, quoting incident 154 of October 30.