In an alarming theft incident at Groves Nurseries, a garden centre located in Bridport, Dorset, two men were caught on CCTV stealing a significant number of hose parts on March 13. The thieves, identified only by their distinctive attire, wore long padded coats that were reportedly “specially adapted” for concealing stolen items, as the owner of the centre, Charles Groves, described them. Mr Groves expressed his outrage over the incident, stating it was “heartbreaking” for a business that prides itself on hard work and community spirit.

The theft occurred in the early afternoon, around 1.05 pm, when the men entered the garden centre and quickly filled their coats with numerous watering products. In the video footage, they appeared to be cautious, frequently looking over their shoulders as they carried out the theft before fleeing the scene on foot. After the crime, they made their escape past The Crown pub and through alleyways towards Lake Lane, and Mr Groves commented on his belief that they likely parked nearby.

“We have worked so hard to keep our centre a nice place to be, accessible and easy to shop,” Mr Groves was quoted as saying. “Then people like this come in and take the pee. It’s heartbreaking for everyone. I was horrified at first, then I was really angry. I haven’t seen anything quite as brazen as that.” He called upon the community for assistance in identifying the suspects, adding, “It’s a long shot. I imagine they aren’t from around here.”

Local residents reacted with shock and anger, branding the pair as “thieving, good for nothings.” One local expressed sympathy for the hardworking staff at Groves Nurseries and articulated a wish for the thieves to return the stolen goods, while another lamented the increasing occurrences of such crimes.

In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Dorset Police confirmed the report and stated that enquiries were underway, although no arrests had been made at the time.

Meanwhile, a separate incident unfolded at a Heron Foods store in the Pyramids Shopping Centre in Birkenhead on the evening of March 29. At around 5.30 pm, a man entered the store “covered in blood,” prompting an urgent police response and the subsequent cordoning off of part of the shopping centre. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the man had attempted to purchase alcohol while bleeding profusely, leaving a trail of blood inside the shop.

A staff member from Heron Foods recounted the shocking moment, stating, “I heard one of our regular customers say ‘what have you done?’ and there was just a man there covered in blood.” Despite attempts to assist, the man reportedly left the store before an ambulance could arrive, leading to further concern among onlookers.

A nearby shop worker noted the visible blood on the ground, which contributed to the heightened alarm in the shopping area. However, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police later clarified that there had been no crime reported in connection with the bloody incident. The police confirmed that the man had injured his foot on broken glass prior to entering the shop and had sought medical attention for his injury.

Both incidents highlight ongoing challenges for local businesses and law enforcement, with shop owners and staff grappling with theft and safety concerns, while the public responds with both sympathy for victims and frustration directed at the perpetrators.

Source: Noah Wire Services