A large quantity of cigarettes were stolen from a Stradbroke SPAR in a burglary last night.

East Anglian Daily Times: Police on the scene after four people broke into the shop and stole a large quantity of cigarettes. Picture: GREGG BROWNPolice on the scene after four people broke into the shop and stole a large quantity of cigarettes. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Police were called to the shop on Waterloo Road in Stradbroke at 10.13pm yesterday evening.

Four offenders with their faces covered broke into the shop using sledgehammers and crowbars, damaging the door.

Police say the suspects then left the scene in a dark Audi saloon car, carrying a large quantity of cigarettes.

The offenders also reportedly attacked the house and car of two members of the public who tried to intervene.

A sign on the shop window says: “Shop closed due to break in, open as soon as possible.”

No arrests have yet been made.

A police spokesperson said: “The incident occurred at around 10.15pm last night, Monday, March 26, when officers were called to reports that the Spar in Church Street was being broken into.

“Police units arrived at the scene just over 10 minutes later to find that the shop had been broken into a quantity of cigarettes stolen.

“Four people with their faces covered had been seen to use sledgehammers and crowbars to break-in and they then made off in a dark-coloured Audi. A number of police units were sent to search the local area, but the offenders were not located.

“The offenders also threw items at the window of a house and at a car belonging to two members of the public who tried to intervene.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact East CID at Lowestoft Police Station on 101 quoting reference 16487/18. Alternatively, anyone with information can get in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.