POLICE are continuing their enquiries into a break-in at Wellington Newsagents in Fore Street, Wellington.

Jim and Helen Thorne have run the popular newsagents for the past 15 years and business has increased considerably since the closure of E J Teare.

The hooded burglars entered the premises through the front door, using a blow torch to break the glass in the early hours of last Friday (February 22).

They are thought to have taken cash and cigarettes although exactly what has gone missing is still not known.

“It has been a nightmare,” said Jim. “It is not just the mess made by the break-in but all the other aspects of the crime, including sorting out the insurance.

“The shop had to be closed all day on Friday while the forensic people did their job.

“It means, of course, I lost a day’s takings. I still have to work out what has been stolen.”

Police have warned that if anyone is offered cigarettes for sale they should be mindful of where they have come from.

PCSO Steve Hill said: “If anyone has any information about this burglary can they either contact myself or 101 quoting Niche 5219039180.”

n The burglary follows two other recent break-ins at shops in the town – at the Sue Ryder charity shop in the same street, and Winston the Barbers in North Street. The burglars took charity boxes from both shops.