THOUSANDS of pounds worth of stock were stolen from a village garage while it was closed for refurbishment.

The Shell Select shop, on Swan Street, Sible Hedingham was broken into overnight on Thursday.

Thieves forced their way into the empty shop, stealing items totalling several thousands of pounds.

A Shell spokesman said: “Shell Hedingham on Swan Street was broken into during the early hours of August 31.

“The site is closed for upgrade, and was not operational at the time of the break-in.

“The site is due to reopen as usual at the end of September. Nobody was onsite or hurt during the incident.”

The Co-op directly opposite Shell, was targeted by ram-raiders in May as they used to a stolen JCB to steal the ATM outside the shop.

A Essex Police spokesman said: “Police received a call 7am on Thursday, August 31, to a burglary at the Shell Select shop in Swan Street, Sible Hedingham.

“Officers received reports suspects forced their way into the property overnight and took items” Call 101 with information.