By Emma-Kate Lidbury

More than £7,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen from a shop after thieves scaled a seven feet-high gate.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a stock room at the Londis store in Sinodun Road, Wallingford, was burgled. The incident, which happened on Sunday at 12.30pm, saw two offenders distract shop assistants while a third forced open a door at the back of the shop.

The first suspect is a white man, aged between 38 to 48, with short, grey hair. He is stocky, 6ft tall and was wearing a blue rugby top with white stripes and blue jeans.
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The second suspect is a white man in his mid to late twenties. He is slim with short dark hair and is 5ft 8ins tall. He was wearing a khaki green jacket, white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Police are also keen to trace a third suspect who is a white man in his late twenties or thirties. He is 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall and slim. He was wearing a blue and grey top.

The offenders left in a silver Saab.

Police believe there were customers in the shop at the time of the theft. Pc Julie Nutland, investigating the incident, said: “The goods were stolen during the day. There were shoppers around and some were in the shop. If they saw any suspicious people loitering around, I would appeal for them to get in touch with me.

“If people are offered cut-price cigarettes for sale or they are suspicious about the source I would appeal to them to contact either me or Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Nutland, at Didcot police station, on 0845 8 505 505 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.