Off-licence raided twice in three nights

THRESHERS off-licence in Little Common was the target of thieves twice in three nights.

Thieves pushed in a large display window in the early hours of Monda last week, and took a substantial amount of cigarettes before making off in a car.

Two days later, around 2.30am thieves struck again, pushing in the large eight foot square window again and making off with a smaller amount of cigarettes.

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It is believed a great deal of damage was done by the smashing glass and to the window display which was full of bottles.

Police believe it was the same raiders on both nights, except that on Wednesday they put a large wheelie bin against the entrance to the flats above the shop.

Police said the first incident happened at around 2.30am on Monday. The thieves gained entry through the window and made off in a unidentified car.

In the second incident, say police, cigarettes were also stolen. Tracker dogs were brought in to search the area.

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Inspector Max Mosley said the alarm went off at 2.15am and a unit assigned at 2.18am. "We were there at 2.20am - within two minutes of being mobilised.

"Police dogs were used in a thorough search of the area. Two people were seen on CCTV and a car was seen."

A resident of a nearby flat told the Observer: "It is worrying to have these break-ins going on at all but when it happens twice in one week, you start to think the building will become a regular target.

"My flat-mate gave descriptions following both incidents.

"The noise of the windows being smashed was enough to wake us up, but the alarm definitely caught the attention of other neighbours."

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Two people were seen running away from the scene on Wednesday, although they did not appear to be carrying anything.

Insp Mosley said the break-ins were probably by the same people.

"They will have known how to get in and what was in the premises."

He added: "When people are burgled they should treat it as a warning call and look carefully at how they are protecting their premises.

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"Threshers had done the right thing with the alarm and CCTV cameras. Clearly in commercial premises it is in their interest to increase security."

If anyone has any information about the break-in they should contact PC Nicola Braun at Bexhill Police Station.