Thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes stolen

Thieves smashed through a metal shutter to get to the cigarettes in Theale Co-op

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two burglars stole thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes from a convenience store in Theale in the early hours of Saturday morning (April 30).

The thieves smashed their way into the Co-operative Food store in the High Street by forcing open a metal shutter at around 3.20am.

Despite the burglar alarm being activated and a smoke screen device being set off, the burglars got away with between £2,000 and £3,000 worth of tobacco products during the raid.

Store manager Charles Cocks, aged 68, who formerly managed the Co-operative store in Pangbourne, said: “One of my team leaders was alerted via the alarm and when they arrived the police were already there.

“I came in that morning and saw the shop had been cordoned off.

“It's an inconvenience and an annoyance as well as a loss of stock.

“Generally thieves have been targeting convenience stores in the Reading area over the past few months.”

Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage of the incident in the hope of identifying the intruders.

Officers are appealing for witnesses or to anyone who has been approached to buy cheap cigarettes to call Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.