Vodka, beef and Ferrero Rocher stolen in spate of Co-op shop thefts

SHOPLIFTERS have struck at the Co-operative stores in Brockworth eight times in two weeks.

The Court Road and Abbotswood Shopping Centre stores were targeted repeatedly between October 11 and 25.

Items stolen include £200 of vodka, £40 of beef joints, £20 of Ferrero Rocher and £26 of cheese.

One man hid a chocolate bar down his trousers and then brazenly paid for other items at the till.

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PC Rob Guest said a gang may be behind the thefts and patrols are being focused in the area to deter offenders.

Speaking at Brockworth Parish Council's meeting, he said: "I have suggested they employ security guards as these are just the incidents they know about and they must be losing money.

"The cost of this is passed on to everyone else in the company's prices."

Kerry Ludlow, 33, of Winsley Road, has been arrested and charged with theft from a shop following a shoplifting incident in Court Road on October 24. She is due to appear before Cheltenham magistrates on December 2. A 17-year-old boy from Gloucester has also been charged with theft of vodka from the same shop on October 25. He is due at Gloucester Youth Court on January 10.

A police spokesman said: "We continue to work with local shops to improve store security and are happy to discuss crime reduction measures that can be put in place with any business."

Mid-Counties Co-operative was unavailable for comment.