'Despicable': Cash and charity tin stolen from Newtown deli

The High Street Delicatessen in Newtown was targeted by thieves late on Saturday night or early on Sunday evening.

They entered through a window at the rear of the property and took £200 in cash and a charity tin for the charity supported by the shop, Rekindle.

Barrie Thompson, who runs the deli with his wife, Jojo, is disappointed by the incident and said it was a despicable act.

He said: "The damage to the shop is minimal after they broke through a back window.

"They've managed to open it up and it was a pre-planned job. They have come prepared with a drill and drilled their way through to get in.

"They have then come through the toilet and into the shop. There was a £100 float in the till and another £100 from a job we did.

"The most disappointing thing really as that they have taken the Rekindle Small Steps Project charity tin. They are our chosen charity and they help youngsters with mental health issues, and all our tips go in there.

"Luckily 10 days before we had presented them with £165 so there wasn't a lot in there.

"But to do this is still a despicable act.

"We do a lot to support other local business and this act just nibbles away good will."

Dyfed-Powys Police scenes of crime were at the shop on Tuesday collecting evidence as they look to find the culprits.

Barrie believes the thieves knew what they were looking for as not much other damage was left, and he thinks it isn't related to a spate of recent thefts in the area.

He said: "The shop is underneath a residential property so the thieves were creating a minimal noise as possible.

"They broke a plant pot but went to the trouble of moving things back to where they were when getting in from the outside.

"Inside nothing else was damaged as they knew what they were going for. After this we certainly won't be leaving money in the till.

"We are told there have been a recent spate of thefts in the town but someone is at her majesty's pleasure for that already.

"But this was an organised effort, and we are just disappointed because we help local businesses.

"We have had to cancel bread orders, but we will be back in business tomorrow, we won't let this stop us."

Other pre-planned break ins have taken place in Newtown this year.

In June, three members of a 'hole in the wall' were jailed for stealing £60,000 worth of motorbikes from Freestyle Bikes.