BURGLARS who stole nickel rods from a factory may have poisoned themselves.

The thieves broke into a chemical engineering factory in Wedgewood Road, Bicester, through a roll-down shutter door on Thursday night, and took 5kg of nickel rods.

Last night, officers urged the burglars to get hospital treatment.

They said the thieves had removed lids from several tanks containing hazardous chemicals and may have burned themselves or breathed in dangerous quantities of fumes.

Police were alerted at 9pm by an alarm monitoring company.

Ian Eggleton, engineering manager at Hardide, said had his staff come into contact with the chemicals, they would be asked to use a chemical wash, take tablets and use a special cream.

He said: “The loss is minor, but it is the damage to the people that have broken into the building through their stupidity.”

Sgt Kev Tobin, from Bicester Police Station, said: “During the burglary, the offenders removed the lids from several tanks and containers containing hazardous chemicals.

“We are concerned they may have suffered chemical burns or an adverse reaction from inhaling the fumes. I would urge them to seek hospital advice immediately.”

Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area at the time or has any information about the burglary should call Sgt Tobin on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.