Shop owner left shocked after burglars steal money

A VILLAGE shop has been hit by burglars.

Around £100 was stolen during the break-in at Oxbutts Pet and Stable Supplies in Woodmancote, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3.

The incident happened between 10pm on Sunday and midnight on Monday when thieves broke into the store, located at the Oxbutts trading estate in Station Road.

Co-manager Marta, who runs the shop with her husband, said they first realised the shop had been broken into when the shop alarm went off, as it automatically sent an alert to her husband’s phone.

Marta, who has lived in the village for several years, said the break-in is concerning”

She said: “Especially as it’s such a small community, everyone knows us and the shop has been around for forty years.

“We’ve done no harm to the community and we always try to support our customers and the elderly people who come to the shop.” CCTV shows thieves trying to enter the shop for around 45 minutes, trying the back entrance for some time before forcing entry through the front.

Once Marta and her husband realised the shop had been broken into, they informed the police immediately.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “Police were called just after midnight on bank holiday Monday to a report of a break in.

“Officers were called after a shop alarm sounded at a store on the Oxbutts industrial estate in Woodmancote, Cheltenham. Unknown offenders had forced entry and stolen cash. A police investigation is ongoing.

“Officers are asking anyone who may have seen anybody acting suspiciously in the area around the time, or has CCTV or dashcam footage of the area to get in contact by calling 101 quoting incident 6 of May 3.

“Alternatively, by completing the form quoting the same incident number.”