Village shop manager describes ram raid damage

James Casinelli lives above the shop in Cheriton Cross

A store manager who lives above his shop has described the damage caused by burglars who allegedly ramraided the door of his business in Devon.

James Casinelli, 25, lives above Central Convenience store in Cheriton Cross, which police said was targeted by burglars in the early hours of Friday morning.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it was one of "at least two" ram raids to have taken place in Devon over the last week.

It said "vehicles were stolen" before being used to force entry to village businesses.

Mr Casinelli says a pane of glass needs to be replaced after the incident

Mr Casinelli said the incident described by police to have been among a "spate of burglaries", left a pane of glass "smashed" and in need of replacement.

He said a number of vapes were also stolen.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed it was called to the incident at Cheriton Bishop Post Office at about 03:40 BST on Friday.

A car believed to have been "stolen from a nearby address" had "since been recovered", it added.

The force said it followed a raid at a Spar Post Office in Bampton in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Officers were called to the Post Office in Castle Street at about 03:45 BST after "a door was smashed open and cash and vapes stolen".

'Inquiries ongoing'

Insp Grant Leitch said: “A very recent spate of burglaries has resulted in vehicles being stolen from residential premises.

“Those vehicles have then been used in further crime.

"That crime has focused on Post Offices, with the front of those locations being attacked with the stolen vehicle to gain entry.

“The vehicles are then abandoned and a further dwelling burglary enables the offenders to access different transportation, to commit more offences.

“We are asking for both home and business owners to remain vigilant by ensuring properties are secure with vehicle keys not on display and that vehicles are parked and stored securely.

“The main area of concern has been in and around mid Devon, but clearly, offenders can and will move the geographic region they target.”

Inquiries into both matters were ongoing, it added, while anybody with information or doorbell footage was asked to get in touch.