Officers are appealing for information after a series of overnight burglaries at businesses across Exeter and South Devon.
Seven businesses were broken into between 22 and 30 July with charity collection boxes, cash and other items stolen. In most cases offenders gained entry by smashing windows and doors.
Officers believe the burglaries could be linked and are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or vehicles in the area at the time of the offences.
The latest burglary happened at Teign Bean coffee shop in Main Road, Exminster. Offenders forced a door to gain entry some time between 3.30pm on Wednesday 29 July and 7.30am on Thursday 30 July. A money box containing a quantity of cash was stolen.
Whipton and Pinhoe Labour Club in Vaughan Road, Exeter, was targeted in the early hours of Wednesday 29 July. Offenders gained entry to the premises through a window at around 3.10am and stole a money box and two charity collection tins from the bar.
At 2am on Tuesday 28 July, two charity boxes were stolen during a burglary at Haldon Forest Diner in Kennford. A ground floor window was smashed and damage was caused to the till area.
Around 11.30pm on Sunday 26 July, a glass door was broken at Shooters sports bar in Sandy Lane, Dawlish. Two male suspects, dressed in hooded tops and wearing gloves, stole a money tin containing approximately £200.
Earlier the same day, at around 1.15am, offenders smashed the glass front door of Spar Stores at The Strand, Starcross. They stole around a dozen bottles of spirits and a charity collection box. Two male suspects dressed in dark clothing and wearing gloves left in a red car.
Starcross Golf in New Road, Starcross, was targeted between 8pm on Thursday 23 July and 6am the following morning. Offenders forced a door and took a quantity of cash and a radio worth around £175.
The first reported burglary happened around 12.50am on Wednesday 22 July at St Davids Veterinary Centre on Dawlish Road, Exminster. A front window was smashed and cash and a charity collection tin were stolen.
PC Max Boyling, officer in the case, said: “We are working to establish whether these burglaries are linked and are keen to hear from anyone who may have information that could assist with our enquiries.
“These break-ins have caused real distress to local business owners and the theft of money raised for charitable causes makes these offences particularly upsetting. We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen these items in someone’s possession or found them discarded in the local area.
“We would also ask residents and businesses to check their CCTV and doorbell cameras to see if they have any footage that may have captured the suspects or suspicious vehicles.”
Anyone who can assist police with their investigation is asked to report information online or telephone 101, quoting crime number 50260198457.
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