The Co-op on Common Lane, Culcheth, was burgled shortly after 11pm on Thursday by a group of three or four men who entered through the roof. It is the sort of audacious break-in nobody wants on the village timetable.
The offenders also attempted to break into the store’s cash machine before fleeing at around midnight. They failed to open the ATM, which is at least one small piece of good news, but they still stole a quantity of cash and cigarettes from inside the shop.
Detective Constable Ian Morris said: “Thankfully the offenders were unable to break into the ATM, but they did steal a quantity of cash and cigarettes from inside the store. We are determined to identify the offenders and bring them to justice.”
Cheshire Police said enquiries are ongoing and officers want to hear from anyone who saw suspicious men near Common Lane before the burglary, either on Thursday night or on previous nights. They are also seeking witnesses who may have seen the offenders leaving on foot or in a vehicle, along with anyone who has dashcam or CCTV footage showing the men or a vehicle linked to them.
A roof entrance suggests a level of planning that makes this more concerning than an opportunistic late-night smash-and-grab. The failed ATM attack may have limited the damage, but the burglary will still be unsettling for staff, customers and nearby residents, particularly given the store’s prominent place in everyday life in Culcheth.
Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML 334555. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The original report also carried a separate link headed “Naked Penketh cyclist defended by British Naturism”, which is unrelated to this burglary and offers no explanation for the roof access at the Co-op.