For the second time in a month, thieves have raided another aquatic centre and stolen thousands of pounds worth of marine livestock and equipment.
Last month, CK Aquatics in South Hinksey, Oxford, had over 10,000 worth of marine livestock and equipment stolen in a carefully planned raid.
Now, Shirley Aquatics in Yarnton has suffered a similar break in, resulting in the loss of around 8000 worth of marine fish, corals and marine equipment.
According to the Oxford Mail, burglars climbed over a fence, placed a bin liner over a security camera and hid behind tanks to escape detection by alarm sensors to allow them to escape with a large number of marine livestock and accessories.
Police are reportedly not currently linking the two burglaries, but Shirley Aquatics' Manager, Neil Thompson, told the Oxford Mail that he believes the same gang is responsible:
"They knew what they were doing. I am assuming someone has got a large fish tank somewhere and is sitting there selling all the fish on. We never thought people would go to such lengths."
The burglars struck between 6pm on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday and took around 100 corals, worth 2000, around 3000 worth of marine fish, and a number of "rare clams worth 300 each". They also took specialist filtration equipment.
Pc Matthew Fishwick told the Mail that the fish were probably stolen to order: "The thieves seemed to know what they were looking for and will possibly try to sell the stolen goods on. I would appeal to anyone who has any information about the burglary, or who has been offered fish, coral or aquatic equipment for sale to contact me."
Anyone with information on the burglary should call the police on 08458 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.