Suspected thieves were caught allegedly stealing almost £10k worth of copper from a plumbing shop - leaving staff gutted.

Employees at Fairways Plumbing and Heating Supplies in Gravesend, Kent, say they feel angry and unsafe after a group made off with a large amount of stock last week.

The four suspects allegedly broke through the shop's window and stole items within a 10-minute window between 1.20am and 1.30am last Tuesday (July 23).

CCTV then caught two men making off with countless copper tubing and cylinders, the firm's mobile phone, keys to its van and the cash register.

They were captured walking in and out of the premises and taking the stolen goods to a waiting car outside.

Director Mark Penrose said: "I have been in the industry for 34 years and this has not happened before."

"It is not just what they took but we now need to replace and fix everything. It is the long-term impact."

"They did not wear gloves or masks, they just do not care."

"They were so brazen. It does not matter what security system you have, they could take something in minutes."

Mr Penrose, who has worked at the plumbers' merchant for 20 years, said the incident has cost the company between £8,000 and £10,000.

The businessman said it is not only the cost of what was taken but also the price of replacing and fixing what was broken.

He has been forced to spend around £1,000 on a new till and £1,500 on an improved security system.

He added: "In towns, this only seems to happen in shops like newsagents. They do not come into bigger establishments like this but it is a changing world now."

"It is affecting how we do everything. It has made us angry and let down."

"Everyone has lost their confidence. Now it has been done to me, it can be done to anyone."

"There is too much going on and not enough being done about it."

"We are living in a town where no one is safe, that affects me as it could happen again."

"Everyone needs to be a safeguard. We have to be very cautious, we are looking at everyone suspiciously."

But despite these concerns the businessman says he owes a lot to their loyal customers.

He said: "All our customers have been by our side. "

"We have had a lot of help from them."

The suppliers have reported the incident to the police which has confirmed it is investigating a report of a burglary.

A spokesperson from Kent Police said: "Kent Police is investigating a report o a burglary at a business in The Grove, Gravesend, which was reported to have happened between 1.20am and 1.30am on Tuesday 23 July 2024. "

"During the incident four suspects are reported to have broken into the business premises and stole items from within. "

"Enquiries are ongoing."