Exeter shop suffers 'assault on the heart' as thieves strike

It's lost £1,000 in equipment and a day of trading

An Exeter shop has suffered an "assault on the heart" after thieves smashed their way into the premises and swiped £1,000 worth of electronics. The store was left in such a state that it has been forced to close for the day.

Wool on the Exe, a normally cosy shop which describes itself as a "warm, welcoming" space for crafters, has boarded up its front door as it counts the cost of the break-in. Managing director Debbie Judd say the perpetrator - or perpetrators - smashed a hole in the door just big enough for them to climb through, ransacked the store and made off with computers and a set of scales that staff use to weigh parcels.

It's believed that the theft took place on Saturday night (October 12) or the early hours of Sunday morning (October 13). The shop is normally closed on Sundays so Debbie says she only found out when the police contacted her to say a member of the public had reported the break-in.

Debbie told DevonLive this morning (October 14): "We have a glass panel on the door and they broke it and made a hole big enough to climb through. I think they were looking for things that they could sell quickly so they took our computers, iPad and made a mess. I think they tried to get into our stock room, broke a mirror there and cut themselves.

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"We'll lose a day of trading. It's such an assault to the heart. We're a small community business and not-for-profit community interest company. That's the part that hurts the most."

Despite the financial blow to the store, the owner says she feels sympathetic towards whoever did this. She says the theft of the scales leads her to believe the crime may have been carried out by someone struggling with drug problems.

Debbie said: "I'm a Christian so I try to have some compassion. I know this person wasn't born this way. Our scale is missing that we use to weigh parcels so who else uses scales other than drug users?

"It's just a sad person who needed money. That's where the work has to be done. Helping people who have to resort to this kind of crime."

She says police spent several hours at the shop yesterday and has praised their handling of the incident. She said: "The police were here all day yesterday. I can not applaud more the caring nature and professionalism of the chap who was with us. He was incredible."

Wool on the Exe is closed today but Debbie says she plans to reopen tomorrow or later this week. Devon & Cornwall Police has confirmed that they are investigating the matter and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Police were called on Sunday 13 October following reports of a break-in overnight at a commercial premises on Okehampton Street, Exeter.

"An officer attended and met with the business owner and it was confirmed that a suspect had forced entry into the premises via the door. Once inside the suspect carried out an untidy search and stole electrical items worth around £1,000.

"Enquiries into the matter are ongoing. Anybody with relevant information is asked to contact police on 101 or via our website quoting 50240259551".