Shop owners beware of ‘cigarette break’ gang

SHOP owners in the Gainsborough area are warned to be vigilant after a break-in at Morrisons petrol station on Tuesday night.

Although nothing was stolen, police believe it may have been part of a spate of ‘cigarette breaks’ across the East Midlands.

They are linking it with another break-in at a shop in Claypole on the same night where £3,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen.

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The criminal group is targeting convenience stores and petrol station kiosks with cigarette counters.

The break-ins usually happen soon after closing time and it is thought the culprits are visiting and observing the shops before striking.

Owners of this kind of shop are asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Lincolnshire Police on 101.

• Police are NOT now linking two thefts on ATM cash machines in Ruskington and Market Deeping on the same night.