THIS is the shocking moment that two brazen thieves casually ransack a neighbourhood Co-op and fill up bags with stolen cigarettes – before walking out unchallenged.
The alarming scenes took place last week on Good Friday in the shop on Leigh Road in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, where the men decided to help themselves to some of the store’s merchandise.
One customer filmed the shoplifters whilst offering his thoughts from behind the camera, including his surprise that one of the crooks hadn’t even bothered to hide his face.
The clip begins as the two men are already behind the plexiglass put in place for staff protection in case of attempted robberies.
As one burglar stretches across to grab more cigarettes, a customer narrates, saying: “This is a robbery at the Co-op in Leigh Road, chap just comes in.”
Whilst the customers stand in a queue waiting for the ordeal to be over, a boy can be seen being reprimanded by his mother who has a loaf of bread and jar of jam in her hand.
The concerned cameraman continues: “They’re just nicking all the fags.”
After filling up a large green bag to the brim with stolen tobacco products, the two men seem unfazed and saunter out onto the shop floor, passing right by the paying customers.
One of the two alleged crooks has covered his face whilst the other, sporting a grey Nike jumper, has just put a hood up to disguise himself.
A member of Co-op staff can be seen returning from off-camera as the stunned cameraman remarks: “He didn’t even try to hide his face.”
The shocking scenes were shared online yesterday with the caption: “Two thieves ransacked a cigarette display in a Co-op supermarket in Leigh-On-Sea.”
The post received over 460 likes with hundreds of comments from social media users who were stunned at the actions in the video.
One said: “See how casually they do it, they know the police are overwhelmed at weekends and probably won’t respond until next week.”
Another added: “I thought that cigarettes were supposed to be behind closed doors/shutters too.”
A third replied: “Come on people, get the nearest fire extinguisher and use it on them, don’t just stand there, do something.”
Another commented: “My local Co-op knows the local shoplifters but can’t do anything when they walk into the store.”
Speaking today, an Essex Police spokesperson said: “We’re investigating a burglary at a business premises in Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea.
“At about midday on Friday 29 March, two men entered the shop and approached the till area. When one suspect asked a member of staff to get something, he went behind the counter and gathered a quantity of cigarettes.
“He was then helped by the second man to load the cigarettes into a bag.
“Both men then left the shop.
“The first man is described as white, of medium build, white and about 5ft 10ins tall. He was wearing a black Nike hooded top with grey sleeves and black hood, black tracksuit bottoms and grey shoes.
“The second man is black, of slim build and was wearing a black or navy blue puffer coat with a hood up, a black face covering, a black backpack and black tracksuit bottoms.
“No arrests have been made and our enquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information on it should get in touch.
“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.
“Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.
“Alternatively, you can call us on 101.
“Please cite crime reference 42/50366/24.”
