BUMBLING burglars escaped after their petrol station break-in attempt was foiled – by a customer coming in for a fill up.

Two men attempted to break into the Shell Select shop in Swan Street, Sible Hedingham at around 4am on Wednesday (September 18).

As they were trying to force open the front door, they were disturbed by a customer who was pulling into the forecourt.

They fled the scene and a forensics team arrived later in the day to gather evidence.

A spokesman said: “It was nothing short of sheer luck that the customer arrived when they did.

“They got away without managing to get in and I’ve been sorting the CCTV with the team this morning.”

“Hopefully that has scared them off and they won’t be back again but I know this village so they probably will.”

No was hurt during the incident.

The village garage has been targeted before.

In 2017, thousands of pounds worth of stock was taken while the station was being refurbished.

A police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of an attempted burglary at the Shell garage in Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, shortly before 5.40am this morning.

“Nothing was taken, but damage was caused to the front of the property."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 101 and quote the reference 144 of 18 September.