Thieves climbed through a chimney and dug a hole in the wall to steal £250,000 worth of luxury handbags from a designer boutique.
The owner of Dress Cheshire has spoken of her devastation after the gang of three men broke into her store at New Road in Prestbury, Cheshire on Sunday night.
They are thought to have entered a disused building adjacent to the shop an hour before the burglary and created a hole in the wall.
Police say the trio then gained access to the store through the chimney area. Officers are currently trying to track down the culprits and the stolen bags.
Speaking on social media, Dress Cheshire manager Christine Colbert said a gang had gained entry by ‘boring a 1m x 0.5m wide hole through the wall which took over an hour to drill’.
Fighting back tears, Ms Colbert added: ‘I’m absolutely devastated. They’ve stolen our beautiful handbags to the value of a quarter of a million pounds.
‘This is a very serious crime for Cheshire Police. There were three men. This was very well planned and organised.’
The luxury boutique owner also praised Cheshire Police for arriving ‘within minutes’.
Detective Constable Clare Slattery, of Macclesfield CID (criminal investigation department), said: ‘Our enquiries are ongoing, and we would urge anyone who witnessed this incident or saw anything suspicious to get in touch with us.
‘The same goes for anyone with dashcam footage or CCTV which might aid our investigation.
‘We also want to hear from anyone who thinks they may have information regarding the whereabouts of the items that were stolen.’
Customers and local householders have since offered their condolences to Ms Colbert in the aftermath of the ‘absolutely awful’ burglary.
Beverley Watson said: ‘Wow, can’t believe they went to such lengths to gain entry and steal your handbags
‘Thank goodness they didn’t come though the door in business hours, and that you and your staff are safe.
‘I know this is little comfort considering the hard work Dress Cheshire requires on your part. Take care.’
Lisa O’Nions added: ‘There are no words Christine Colbert we are so so sorry that this has happened to you and your beautiful shop again!
‘As others have commented we are just glad that you and the staff are safe and ok. Sending all our love to you all at Dress Cheshire.’
And Sally Williams said: ‘So so sorry to hear this Christine absolutely awful, sending love and for all those concerned. Can only imagine how shook up you are.’
News of the theft comes as MailOnline analysis earlier this year revealed streets lined with designer shops and multi-million pound homes prove to be the biggest burglary hotspots in England and Wales.
The sector built around Regent Street in London, one of the capital’s most famed areas because of its breadth of shops and restaurants, recorded 282 break-ins last year.
Home to just 2,280 residents, in-depth analysis suggested that particular block, which includes Oxford Street, New Bond Street, Carnaby Street and Saville Row, saw 123 burglaries for every 1,000 people.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
