MEMBERS of the public watched as hooded thieves carried out a dramatic raid at a supermarket. 

The intruders broke into The Co-Operative Food in Wiveliscombe on Sunday evening.

One witness managed to film the raid on his mobile phone.

The footage shows a group of hooded men carrying what looks like a large bin out of the store and emptying its contents into the back of a getaway car.

The person who filmed the raid managed to take down part of the car’s registration number and has passed on the footage to police.

The Co-Op later confirmed cigarettes and alcohol were taken.

A witness at the scene who filmed the incident said: "When I heard a couple of loud bangs and then an alarm, I left my house to find a silver car outside Co-op and four males had smashed their way in.

"I was shocked at what I was watching and it was so early in the night; nothing like this has happened in Wiveliscombe.

"There was about 15 people all stood around watching this happen.

"I started recording as one of the guys was shouting at the others and I could see guys behind the counter in Co-op filling black bins full of tobacco and cigarettes; then they ran out of the shop, dumped contents of the bins in the boot and threw them on the ground before jumping in the car and sped off.

"I found out before I got there that people that were watching had slashed two tyres on the car.

"When they had left, myself and a couple of cars tried to follow but we lost them on the Milverton bypass."

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: “We were called at about 10.50pm on Sunday night to reports of a burglary at a convenience store in The Square in Wiveliscombe.

“Cigarettes were taken and then the four suspects – all men – left the scene in a car.

“We would like to thank members of the public for their vigilance and information they provided.

“The car – believed to have been involved in the incident – was later found abandoned in the Milverton area shortly afterwards.

“A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail, pending further enquiries.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident who may have information to help with our enquiries.”

A Co-operative Food spokesman said: “The intruders caused extensive damage and stole a quantity of cigarettes and spirits. As a result of the damage the store remained closed until early evening on Monday. 

“The store has now re-opened and, the staff would like to thank both the local community and the police for their response. 

“We apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure.

“CCTV coverage has been shared with the police and, as with any incident such as this, we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”

Police are urging anybody with information about this incident to call them on 101. 

Alternatively, contact Crime-stoppers on 0800-555111.

 

Watch the dramatic footage of the raid recorded by a member of the public.