A COMMUNITY is in shock after thieves hit a Co-op store in the early hours of this morning.
As reported, a vehicle – believed to be a black Range Rover – was driven in front of the store in Poole Road, Upton, at 3.43am this morning, Thursday 9th June.
Police said about four or five men dressed in black clothes got out and loaded an ATM into the car.
Residents who fell over the cordoned-off place this morning were appalled by the incident, which resulted in glass and shop products spreading across the sidewalk.
Police have cordoned off the site of the second glass and items strewn all over the sidewalk. @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/GcCLD0NXuM
– Andrew Goldman (@AndrewDailyEcho) June 9, 2022
Shortly before 9.45am, a police forensic technician attended the scene to photograph and further investigate the scene.
For those living in the area, the raid has been described as “on another level” of seriousness. Councilman Bill Pipe, representing Upton for the Dorset Council, said: “I am shocked and surprised that people could actually do such a thing.
Forensic scientist participates in ram-raid in Co-op store in Upton
“In Upton, we suffer a lot from antisocial behavior, but it’s at a different level. It’s far more serious than we’re used to, and I hope the police can fix it.
“The co-op will be closed for some time, so they will lose money, and that’s not good for the image of the city, our neighbors and residents. I’m angry about that, honestly.”
Cllr Judes Butt, meanwhile, of the nearby Creekmoor branch, compared the incident to a burglary at their local Co-op earlier in the year.
Ram-raid in Co-op store in Upton
She said: “My community is appalled by such violence and intrusion, the staff is traumatized by this attack on our quiet, close-knit community.
“Where next time?”
The owner of Layers Hairdressers, who is next door 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 Echo that he “had no idea” if any pause- i.
He said, “I never heard anything and I sleep with my window open. It’s ridiculous. I can not believe it, my wife never said anything this morning when she went to work, so I assume she nor heard anything. ”
Ram-raid at Co-op store in Upton on Thursday, June 9th. Photo: Ed Baker
The other unit next to the store is a currently disused building, which until several years ago was the town’s co-op before it was replaced.
The resident of Heights Approach recalled that the store had also been subjected to a similar raid more than two decades ago. He said: “When we first moved in 25 years ago, thieves also hit that building with a car, so we definitely heard it.
“When we all woke up, they were gone, but I can not believe I did not hear this one. It must have been deafening.”
A Co-op spokesman said: “There was an incident in our Upton store in the early hours of this morning (Thursday, June 9) where there was an attack on the community’s ATM.
“Significant damage has been done and at the moment it is too early to confirm when the store will be able to reopen to serve the community.
“We apologize for the inconvenience during the temporary closure and appeal to anyone who may have seen or heard anything to report to the police, who are investigating the case.”
Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101 stating incident number 55220091447.
