THOUSANDS of pounds of stock was taken when thieves raided a supermarket in Pershore – and then fled in a stolen van.

The incident took place at the Co-op in Racecourse Road, part of the town’s trading estate, between 9pm on Wednesday, January 11, and 5am the following morning.

West Mercia Police are now appealing for information, particularly regarding the store’s W-reg Vauxhall Movano van.

The store’s door was forced open, causing about £800 of damage, and about 61 bottles of spirits, 46 joints of meat, more than 2,500 packets of cigarettes, DVDs worth £400 and a quantity of cash were stolen.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Percival, of Pershore police station, said: “Obviously the items taken are popular consumables which will be easy for the offenders to sell on. If you are offered these products in unusual circumstances, on the street or in the pub perhaps, I urge you not to buy them and to let us know who is selling them on. We are keen to trace a vehicle belonging to the store which was stolen in the burglary. The registration is WV06 GPU, although the plates may have been changed.

“We would like to hear from anyone who has noticed a Co-op van turn up in their neighbourhood which seems out of place or saw one being driven away from the Pershore area between the times of the offence so we can identify where this van has gone and who is responsible for the burglary.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call DS Percival on 03003 333000, quoting 60S 120112 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.