A COMMUNITY is in shock after thieves raided a Co-op store in the early hours of the morning.
As reported, a vehicle – believed to be a black Range Rover – was driven past the store in Poole Road, Upton, at 3.43am this morning, Thursday June 9.
Police said about four or five men in black clothing got out and loaded an ATM into the car.
Residents who stumbled upon the cordoned-off scene this morning were horrified by the incident, which resulted in glass and shop produce being scattered on the sidewalk.
Police cordoned off the scene of other glass and in-store goods strewn on the sidewalk. @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/GcCLD0NXuM
— Andrew Goldman (@AndrewDailyEcho) June 9, 2022
Shortly before 9:45 a.m., a forensic science officer attended the scene to photograph and further investigate the scene.
For those living in the area, the raid was described as “on another level” of seriousness. Councilor Bill Pipe, who represents Upton for Dorset Council, said: ‘I am shocked and surprised that people can actually do something like this.
A forensic officer witnesses a ram raid on a Co-op store in Upton
“At Upton we suffer a lot of anti-social behavior, but that’s on another level. It’s much more serious than what we are used to and I hope the police can sort it out.
“The co-op will be closed for a while, so they will lose money and it’s not good for the image of the town, our neighbors and our residents. I’m angry about this, quite frankly.
Cllr Judes Butt, meanwhile, of nearby Creekmoor likened the incident to a break-in at their local co-op earlier this year.
Ram-raid at the Co-op store in Upton
She said: “My community is horrified by such violence and intrusion, staff traumatized by this attack on our calm and tight-knit community.
“Where next?”
The owner of Layers Hairdressers next to the co-op said she felt sorry for the co-op staff, while a man who lives a short distance from the store in Heights Approach told the Echo that he had “no idea” of a breakup. in.
He said: “I never heard anything and I sleep with the window open. It’s ridiculous. I can’t believe it, my wife never said anything this morning when she left for work so I guess she didn’t hear anything either.
Ram-raid at the Co-op store in Upton on Thursday 9th June. Photo: Ed Baker
The other unit next to the store is a currently disused building that until several years ago was the town’s co-op before it was replaced.
The Heights Approach resident recalled that the store was also the subject of a similar raid more than two decades ago. He said: ‘When we first moved in 25 years ago thieves also attacked this building with a car, we certainly heard that one.
“By the time we all woke up they were gone, but I can’t believe I didn’t hear this one. It must have been deafening. »
A Co-op spokesperson said: “There was an incident at our Upton store in the early hours of this morning (Thursday June 9) where there was an attack on the community ATM.
“Significant damage has been caused, and at this time it is too early to confirm when the store will be able to reopen to serve the community.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused during the temporary closure and call on anyone who may have seen or heard anything to report to the police, who are investigating.”
Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting the number incident 55220091447.