GARDEN centre staff have been left reeling after thieves stole thousands of pounds worth of stock in an overnight burglary.

Malmesbury Garden Centre was targeted by thieves with stock worth more than £2,000 taken on Saturday, and this followed another raid in July.

A spokesman for the garden centre in Crudwell Road said: “Unfortunately on Saturday, October 26, at approximately 10.30pm, we had yet another break in at the garden centre.

“This is the second time within months and we do not know if it is the same group but they knew exactly how to get in, around the same site as before.

“Police were called in the early hours of Sunday morning and CSI have been up and taken evidence to catch the culprits, hopefully.

“For a small independent to keep trading in this current climate is hard enough without people stealing, damaging property and taking people’s livelihoods.”

Around 150 glass bird feeders worth a combined £1,198 are thought to have been stolen in the burglary.

Also thought to have been stolen is a Campingaz 3 series gas BBQ worth £370, Monacor weatherproof music horns worth £356, two snowman Christmas decorations worth £65 and a collection of Woodlodge Chelsea Pots, four square worth £68, two round worth £34, and two troughs worth £100.

The spokesman added: “They have stolen the following so if you have been offered or have seen any of these items please do get in touch.”

A PA system belonging to The Emergency Services Show was stolen from a locked container at Malmesbury Garden Centre in July.

The attack saw the ‘brand new, valuable’ equipment stolen as well as lights and shed alarms belonging to the garden centre.

Assistant manager of the centre, Graham Harris, described the theft at the time as ‘opportunistic’.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We are investigating a report of a break in at Malmesbury Garden Centre, Crudwell Road, which occurred overnight on October 26/27.

“Offenders gained entry into the rear of the garden centre causing damage to locks.

“A number of items are believed to have been stolen including high end plant pots.

“Anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area overnight should call 101 and quite crime reference number 54190106967.”