Furious newsagent manager Andy Aldworth found his shop ransacked just hours after attending a public meeting about installing closed circuit television cameras in a town centre.

The raid, at Martin's news- agents in the Market Square, Witney, is the second in less than six month, writes Suzanne Huband. In November more than 1,500 worth of cigarettes were stolen after thieves smashed the shop's window.

Mr Aldworth arrived at work to find the door forced, the alarm ripped from the wall and phone lines cut. Cigarettes, cash and other items worth several thousand pounds were missing.

Just hours earlier Mr Aldworth had been among 60 traders who attended a meeting to discuss possible funding for a CCTV scheme for the town centre.

He said: "I can't believe it. I went as a trader to the meeting because we have had trouble in the past and I come in the next morning to this."

Witney Police Inspector John Fox said: "There is no doubt that CCTV would deter this sort of crime."

Story date: Wednesday 12 April

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