Supermarket bosses have been forced to close popular paper recycling facilities after they became a target for arson attacks.
Metal shutters have been pulled over the designated paper banks at the recycling centre at the Tesco Extra store in Harlescott, with signs erected stating the facilities are unavailable due to recent attacks.
A temporary paper bank has been installed nearby in an attempt to cater for the demand, and residents can still recycle plastic, glass and carrier bags as normal.
The news has been met with anger by borough councillor Judith Williams, portfolio holder for waste management, who said she hoped the perpetrators would be caught.
The development comes just days after more than £300,000 of damage was caused to farm machinery at Ravenhill Farm Services on the nearby Battlefield Enterprise Park.
The Tesco Extra store at Harlescott
Tesco officials have remained tight-lipped on the cost of repairs but have said they will monitor the situation with a view to re-introducing the banks.
Store staff manage and maintain the recycling facilities independent of existing facilities, with customers able to pick up Clubcard points for every item they recycle.
Councillor Williams said: “There are always people around who are hell-bent on causing disruption and preventing people from doing good.
“It’s something we have to live with, and we can only hope that one day these people are brought to justice.”
A Tesco spokesperson said: “It’s a real shame we’ve had to take this measure but arson is a serious business and the repairs to the banks are costly. We’ll monitor how the alternative bank is going and decide whether or not we can risk re-introducing the old ones at an appropriate time in the future.”