Ram-raiders target butchers - for an old bike! (From Thurrock Gazette)

Ram-raiders target butchers - for an old bike!

3:00pm Thursday 13th September 2012 in News

RAM-raiders used a 4x4 to smash their way into a butchers shop, causing thousands of pounds of damage – then took nothing but an old tradesman’s bike.

Butcher Clive Mercer was completely amazed to learn the raiders went to so much trouble just to take a Fifties bicycle, worth about £1,500t.

His shop, Prime Cut butchers in King Street, Stanford-le-Hope, was wrecked in the raid with its windows smashed in an shop signs left hanging off.

Shocked Mr Mercer, 42, said: “I’m just completely amazed. I have nothing of value in the shop at all. In all my years I have never heard of a butcher’s shop being ram-raided. I can’t believe it.”

The stolen bike – manufactured by the British firm, Pashley, has a small front wheel with a holder over it to take a tradesman’s basket, used to carry deliveries to customers.

Mr Mercer, who has had the shop for 13 years, said the bike was mainly used for ornamental effect, often propped up outside the front window.

He thinks the raiders, who hit the shop at 2.10am yesterday, were specifically after the bike, because they thought it was valuable.

Speaking surrounded by debris and broken glass yesterday, Mr Mercer said: “The police said the raiders were literally in and out, so they clearly knew what they wanted.

“Some of the residents heard the noise and called police, but the thieves were gone as quickly as they came.”

The Essex Police helicopter was launched to search the area for the vehicle used in the raid but found no trace.

Mr Mercer is still waiting for insurance adjusters to assess the damage before he can get it fixed.

He added: “Once we are given the go-ahead for the repairs we will be up and running in no time.”

Witnesses to the raid, and anyone with information about it, is asked to contact police at Grays on 0300 333444, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.