Setley Ridge Vineyard in Brockenhurst raided by thieves twice in 10 days

THE owner of a New Forest vineyard has praised police after being raided by thieves twice in 10 days.

Paul Girling, owner of Brockenhurst's Setley Ridge Vineyard, shared CCTV on social media of the latest burglary on Saturday night.

It shows a masked man wearing a hoodie smashing his way into the store, jumping over the counter to get to the till before an alarm sounds.

After finding the till empty, he flees the shop and is then captured on another CCTV camera with two accomplices, and they leave in an SUV parked outside the gate.

The shop was first targeted on 7th February when outside store rooms were broken into.

On Saturday's raid, Mr Girling said: "The thieves were lucky because the alarms and CCTV worked so well. They escaped by the skin of their teeth as several people responded to the alarm and were only seconds behind them.

“The police were also on the scene within minutes.”

He added: “I am sure the two incidents are linked. What they did not realise was that we only take cards so the till was empty. Although I was surprised he didn't help himself to the cakes that were on the counter, as they are delicious."

Mr Girling praised the police response, with officers on the scene “very quickly”.

“I had forensics at the shop the next morning and I have been visited twice since by the local beat policeman.

“I have to say at a time when police come in for a lot of criticism, I can only say how good they have been in regards these incidences.”

Those with information about the raid should phone the police on 101.