THOUSANDS of pounds worth of goods were stolen when a local farm shop was burgled twice within the space of five days last week.
Applegarth Farm was targeted by thieves on two separate occasions, overnight ofnSaturday August 6 and then again on Thursday evening. In the first incident two tills , containing a total of £500, were snatched. Police said there were no visible signs of forced entry.
Thursday's burglars gained access by prising open the rear door, probably with an iron bar. £450 was taken from the shop's tills, and frozen food worth an estimated £600 was grabbed from freezers, including roulades, gateaux and ready-made meals.
Will Benson, the manager of the farm shop, also believes that around £600 worth of damage was caused by the second raid, which would bring the final costs to the shop to a figure in excess of £2,000.
"This type of thing usually happens once a year but this time food has been taken as well. "The thieves seem to have been fairly well prepared because the they left no fingerprints.
"I believe that they came on foot because the shop is quite secure at the front and it would have been hard for a vehicle to gain access," explained Mr Benson.
Police attended the scene on Friday morning to gather any clues to track down those responsible. Police community support officer Jim Leggatt believed that a lot of force was used in the second burglary.
"A large wooden bar which keeps the door secure has been moved from its hinges, so some type of metal object has been used with a great amount of force to enter the shop," he added.
The store has now been broken into three times this year, and although the latest break- ins occurred in quick succession, Whitehill Police believe that the two may not necessarily be linked.
Security at Applegarth was stepped up recently with extra fencing erected at the front entrance but now a new metal rear door will be installed to combat the thieves.
There is also the possibility of regular patrols by the police to keep an eye on the farm shop. Anyone with any information about these crimes should contact Whitehill Police on 0845 0454545.