BOWS and arrows worth £500 have been stolen from a shed in Great Witley - the second theft of archery equipment in and around the Wyre Forest area in less than a month.

Police would not divulge specific details of where the latest reported theft took place but said the equipment was taken between 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 31 and 5.30pm on Saturday, June 4.

Fourteen bows and 134 arrows, worth £1,200 and £552 respectively, belonging to an archery club had been taken during a break-in at Winterfold House School, Chaddesley Corbett, between Wednesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 25.

In that incident, two metal detectors, a generator and lamp, with a combined value of nearly £2,000, were also taken.

Police are investigating whether the two thefts were connected.

West Mercia Constabulary has asked the public to tell police if they are offered archery equipment or see it at car boot sales.

"These items could well find their way to car boot sales," said a police spokesman, "Alternatively, they may be offered in pubs and clubs or even at workplaces."

If anyone is offered bows and arrows from original sources - or sees them on sale anywhere other than in a sports or specialist archery outlet - they should call police on 08457 444888, quoting 134C/040605.