THIEVES have reportedly stolen tens of thousands of pounds worth of goods during a spate of break-ins at convenience stores in the Newquay area.

Police confirm Spar shops at Tregaswith, Quintrell Downs and Tower Road have been targeted.

The scene of crime at Spar Tregaswith ( )

The Spar at Tower Road was the first to be targeted during the early hours of Sunday at about 2.45am. The would-be thieves tried to pull the shop shutters up but were unable to break into the store.

The two suspects at Spar Tregaswith ( )

Two men broke into The Spar at North Way shortly after at 3am and stole cigarettes.

One of the suspects at Spar Tregaswith ( )

The Spar at Tregaswith was broken into during the early hours of Monday at about 5am after two men pulled up outside in a black Audi car.

The black Audi parked outside Spar Tregaswith ( )

The thieves managed to break into the building after smashing a glass panel on the front door. The thieves broke open locked drawers and stole thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol.

The thieves smashed off a glass panel on the front door ( )

Owner Sandra Lomax said: “It is upsetting what has happened. They have done a lot of damage.

“They broke the front door and there is damage behind the till. They have broken the locks to the drawers where the cigarettes were being stored.

“You do not expect something like this to happen.

“Two young men in a black Audi parked outside the building and smashed the glass to get into the shop.

“They made off with thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes and some alcohol.

“It was all alarmed. The alarm company called and the police. We arrived to find what had happened.

“The shop was locked, and all the goods were locked away, but they will get it if they want to

“This has happened at other Spar shops in the area.”

Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating whether the incidents are linked.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police are investigating following two break-ins and an attempted break-in at commercial premises in the Newquay area.

​“Officers were called following a break-in at Spar in Quintrell Downs shortly after 3am on Sunday, January 5. Two suspects forced entry and stole cigarettes before leaving the scene.

“An attempted break-in was reported at Spar at Tower Road, Newquay, overnight between Saturday, January 4 and Sunday, January 5.

“Entry wasn’t gained, and nothing was stolen.

“Officers were then called at around 5am on Monday, January 6 following a report of a commercial burglary at a filling station at Tregaswith near Newquay.

“Two suspects forced entry to the premises and stole cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol before leaving the scene.

“Officers are investigating whether or not the offences are linked. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Newquay Inspector Steve Johnson added: “We have had a few breaks over the last couple of nights.

“An attempt at the Spar on Tower Road, a confirmed break at the Spar at Quintrell downs and then one over last night at the location mentioned.

“Officer and scenes of crime officers have been in attendance completing their enquiries. We have been completing target hardening by visiting similar properties and liaising with the business districts to ensure they enhance their security and report anything suspicious to the police.

“At the time of writing we are working our way through the evidence and will remain vigilant and carry out further pro-active patrols around these locations during the night times.”

Anybody who witnessed any of the incidents or who has information that may help police is asked to call 101 or visit the police website quoting 50250002806.