THIEVES stole more than £1,000 during a raid on three shops in Park Gate.
The village's butcher, baker and grocer outlets were all targeted by the thieves who broke in through the roof that houses the businesses.
All three premises were ransacked by the gang who rifled through filing cabinets and even prised a safe off a wall.
Staff were left counting the cost and damage on Saturday after the raid in the early hours of the morning.
Grocery shop owner Andy Cooper, who had over £400 stolen, said he was disgusted by the theft.
"We are just a family business trying to earn a living and this comes along and knocks you for six. There's not a lot else to say really. How can you stop people who are determined to carry out this sort of thing?"
His views were echoed by the general manager of Oma's bakery Julia Wilkinson.
She said: "It just sickens you to have someone come in here and ransack the place, it's not as if we keep any cash on the premises."
"This is the second time we have been burgled in three months. The price we pay is in our insurance premiums that obviously go up when something like this happens."
Tony Daley who runs the butchers shop next door also had a day's takings stolen.
He said: "I think we are looking at about £900 that we lost. They were obviously after the cash because there were other things for them to take like food and drink but they didn't touch that."
Police believe the raid on the parade of shops on Middle Road was planned as it was carried out when no staff were around.
They believe the attack was carried out between midnight when the last staff left the shops and 5.15am when a delivery man discovered the break-in.
Officers are urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact Park Gate police station on 0845 045 4545.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article