Winchester WHSmith: Two burglaries in a week

WHSmith has been victim to two burglaries in three days, with the thief targeting cigarettes. The first happened in the early hours of Thursday, January 12 morning and the second on Saturday, January 14.

The windows of the entrance on Parchment Street have been completely smashed and are now boarded up.

Manager Tom Miller said the investigation is ongoing but the incident has been captured on CCTV and the city rangers believe they know who it is, with the individual having a history of repeat offences.

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Mr Miller said: “It has a massive negative impact on the business. Fortunately, the company is big enough to deal with it, but I hope it will get WHSmith to buck its ideas up in terms of security.

“In general, we’ve noticed a lot more theft over the past few years with Covid and the current economic climate.

“Our alarm system doesn’t seem to be enough of a deterrent for offenders as with the low numbers of police officers they know they have enough time.

“I’m confident the police will be able to find him because his face is on CCTV and his DNA is in the store.

“It’s inconvenient to customers and we’ve had lots of curiosity about it.”

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An additional window, also on Parchment Street was smashed earlier in the week and remains boarded up.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "During the early hours of January 12 entry was forced into WHSmith, High Street, Winchester. A quantity of cigarettes were stolen.

"A second break in occurred during the early hours of January 14. Entry was forced to the premises and the offender targeted cigarettes.

"Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 44230014652."

The shop manager said that this is the second time the business has been targeted in his five years working there, with another break in occurring eight months ago.

Customers are being directed to use the main entrance in the High Street.