Great Bridge DIY store in Tipton was recently targeted by thieves who stole £15,000 worth of goods including hammers, lock cutters and even the store's CCTV cameras.

Owner Ian Riar told local press that "the shelves were left bare" following the raid, prompting customers to ask if the shop was closing down. A large hole was left in the back of the store premises as well as mounds of rubble after the thieves made off with the goods, which included £5,000 cash.

Mr Riar manages the store along with one other worker, and described the independent as "medium-sized with aisles with the tools on shelves." He said he found it had "all been trashed" when he went to open up on the morning after the break in.

"I have tried to remain open," he said, "but need to keep going out to re-stock. If the shelves are empty then the customers won’t be coming in and we’ll loose even more money. They have done a lot of damage to our livelihood.

“Something needs to be done about this as it seems that crime is on the rise in the area.

“The money that was saved in the drawer we were going to spend on electrical gear the next day but that was taken too.”

Police are currently investigating the burglary and are appealing for witnesses.