Burglars target Cornish Spar stores

The owners of a shop which was targeted during a burglary said they have had to do major repairs to the building.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers received reports of burglaries at Spar stores in Quintrell Downs at about 03:00 GMT on Sunday and at Westways filling station at Tregaswith, near St Columb Major, about 05:00 on Monday.

The force added an attempted break-in overnight on Saturday and Sunday had been reported at the Spar store on Tower Road, Newquay, but entry was not gained.

Sandra Lomax, co-owner of the Tregaswith shop, said the incident had a big impact with significant damage caused to the site.

Police said two suspects stole cigarettes in Quintrell Downs and cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol in Tregaswith, with officers investigating whether the incidents were linked.

Ms Lomax, who has co-owned the shop since 2016 with her husband Nick, said they had to keep the store closed on Sunday morning while they cleared up the site, which she said had been left in a "complete mess".

She said: "We've needed to do a major repair on the front door and our cigarette drawers were also broken.

"This sort of thing has an impact on the staff and us as this is our home away from home and we work hard every day here."

A police spokesperson said anyone with information about any of the incidents should contact investigating officers.

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