Police investigate two town centre raids

Staniforth’s Bakery on High Street in Mexborough was targeted by thieves who climbed in through a hole in the wall at around 7am last Thursday (4) and stole cash.

A second incident happened at around the same time at Al Murad decorating shop in Swinton Road, Mexborough, where money was also stolen.

Money and various items were stolen in the raid at Staniforth’s which took place before staff arrived to find the shop had been ransacked.

Thieves had forced their way in through a brick wall at the rear of the property to climb through.

They stole the cash float, three charity collection boxes and left a trail of meat and cake smeared across the floor.

The raiders also burst the store’s waterpipe while smashing through the brickwork leaving staff without water.

But the team pulled together to make sure the bakery opened as usual despite the massive clean-up operation.

Chistine Cawthorne, who was first on the scene, said: “They left a right mess.

“We had to throw so much food away, I don’t understand why they didn’t just take the money.

“The alarm went off but nobody noticed.”

A police spokeswoman said: “We are continuing to investigate and are linking these two incidents. Nobody has been arrested yet.

“It is believed they happened overnight sometime between 5pm and 7am.”

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Amanda Hunter on 01302 385145 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.