Police appeal for help following spate of shoplifting offences in Devon

Police are appealing to the public for help following a string of shoplifting offences in Devon.

The four offences, which police believe involve the same men, occurred on the same day, 1 February, at shops in Exmouth, Teignmouth, Paignton and Torquay.

At the Co-op in Dartmouth Road, Paignton at noon two men entered the rear of the store and stole 27 cases of cigarettes, cigars and tobacco products and four cases of chewing gum, total value in excess of £2,000.

Then at around 1.10pm at the Co-Op in Ilsham Road in Torquay two men entered the store and together stole four bottles of Smirnoff vodka.

Between 4pm and 4.10pm at the Co-Op in Bank Street, Teignmouth, three men entered the shop. One selected four bottles of Champagne and passed to a second man who concealed them in a hi-visibility jacket. The third man distracted the cashier while the others exited the store without paying. In total four bottles of Veuve Cliquot Champagne valued at £144 were taken.

Finally in Exeter Road, Exmouth at around 5pm three men entered the store separately and selected items from the display, concealed them in their pockets and left. Seven bottles of Famous Grouse Whiskey (70cl), valued at £102, were taken.

Police have released CCTV of the suspects. Anyone with any information is asked to please call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting crime ref. JG/13/190.