A SHOP owner has told how burglars returned to his shop again and again to steal products and cash from his store over a two-hour period.

Centre of Britain Electrix on Westgate in Haltwhistle became the latest Tyne Valley business to be targeted by burglars, after the offenders smashed through the front doors in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Owner Richard Skeet said: “They broke in and came back for more and more. They were disturbed once or twice but they went on for two hours.

“We’ve had quite a few break-ins in Haltwhistle in recent weeks.

“It may be down to the lack of police cover, or it could be the drug users in the town. I don’t see it myself, but other people seem to know more than me.”

The culprits managed to break in despite a heavy, double locked door – but Richard is remaining upbeat despite the burglary.

He continued: “I’m quite laid back about it, it’s just one of those things. You’ve just got to patch up and get one with it.

“I’m going to have to speak to my insurance company about repairing the door – it’s quite an expensive door, it’s very heavy and it’s double locked, so they must have had a very heavy bar to break it.”

Police are investigating the burglary and are appealing for information.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “At around 7.47am on August 12, police received a report of a burglary at Centre of Britain Electrix on Westgate in Haltwhistle.

“Officers attended the scene where it appeared the front door had been damaged.

“It is believed that the offender forced entry to the premises via the front door before stealing electrical goods and money. The offender has then left the scene.

“The offence is thought to have taken place between 9pm on Saturday, August 11 and 7.47am on Sunday.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting log 285 12/08/18.