Two teenagers – one as young as 14 – have been arrested following a spate of break-ins that saw two Tidal Vape shops burgled in the same night.

The store in Hythe was broken into just before 11pm on Monday with the shop’s door forcibly removed in order to gain entry, before a disposable vape was stolen.

Just hours later at approximately 3am, the e-cigarette chain’s sister store in Romsey was also robbed.

Around £50 of cash was stolen – with the CCTV camera inside the premises being damaged.

It comes after Tidal Vape store in Totton was ram raided in the early hours of Sunday morning.

CEO of Tidal Vape, Ben Richardson, told the Echo he was in disbelief that two of his businesses could be targeted by criminals in the same night.

The 33-year-old said: “I’m shocked, I went to bed at about 10.30pm and got a call at 11pm to say that the shop in Hythe had been targeted.

“Shortly after I’d dealt with that – which was bad enough – I received a second call to say the store in Romsey had been broken into.

“I haven’t slept for 48 hours.”

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In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “We received a report of a burglary at Tidal Vape, High Street, Hythe shortly before 11pm, on Monday, February 19.

“A glass panel on the front door had been smashed in order to force entry to the store. A disposal vape was reportedly stolen during the incident.

“Shortly before midnight in High Street, Hythe, a 14-year-old boy from Holbury was arrested on suspicion of burglary other than dwelling – theft and breaking/likely to break bail conditions.”

They added: “A 16-year-old girl from Totton was arrested at the same time on suspicion of burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal. Both remain in police custody at this time.”

Daily Echo:

Hampshire Police also confirmed that no arrests had been made regarding the burglary of the Tidal Vape in Romsey but that their enquiries ‘remain ongoing.’

Daily Echo:

 

The combined cost of the damage inflicted on the shops will cost the business tens of thousands of pounds.

“It’s going to affect the staff a lot more than me,” said Ben.

“I think I’m used to it by now, but we’ve got a wonderful group of people working for us and I just want to make sure they’re okay.”