POLICE have stepped up their work to support Chinese restaurants in Powys after a string of burglaries over the border in Shropshire.

Premises in the West Mercia area have been targeted by burglars recently, and there are concerns similar restaurants in Montgomeryshire could also be in the burglars' sights.

Speaking to the County Times, Superintendent Steve Davies, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said visits have been made to restaurant premises in Montgomeryshire to reassure owners they are aware of what has happened over the border, and to remind them to be vigilant.

He said: "It is following some information we've had from West Mercia Police about Chinese restaurants being the subject of targeting in respect of burglaries at the residential premises of the restaurants, there have been some incidents just over the border into the Shropshire area.

"We don't have a huge number of Chinese restaurants in the Montgomeryshire area but, just to raise awareness, we have visited them, we have provided them with prevention advice already, but it is just a case of remaining vigilant in respect of that particular matter."