Wild West Britain: Shocking moment balaclava-clad thieves brazenly ram-raid vape shop causing thousands of pounds worth of damage before ransacking it

This is the shocking moment balaclava-wearing thieves ransacked a vape shop after ram-raiding it and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Shocking CCTV footage shows the brazen intruders’ vehicle crashing into the glass doors, before two enter and fill two bags up with as much as they could get their hands on. 

After spending nearly five minutes raiding the shelves, the pair can be seen fumbling with a sack full of good and struggling to get it into their pickup truck.

Tidal Vape CEO Ben Richardson was woken up by his alarm company, shortly after the break-in which happened at around 3.15am on Sunday morning.

The 33-year-old, who has 24 stores across the South Coast, said it will cost tens of thousands of pounds to repair the damage to the Totton branch, near Southampton, Hampshire. 

‘The alarm company called me two or three times so I looked at the CCTV to see which store had been targeted,’ he said.

‘I saw the damage and knew I had to get out because it was so serious.

‘It was the first time I’ve seen something as bad as this.

‘I was very surprised with the amount of damage that the store had sustained.

‘Watching the CCTV back was a total shock – that’s why I knew I had to get down there straight away.’

Mr Richardson said the two in the store had gone after disposable vapes, but was not able to accurately ascertain how many had been taken.

However, he added: ‘The numbers are very, very high. We had stock out the back which they went after as well.’

He said the shop will be boarded up and remain closed until repairs have been carried out.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Police said: ‘We are investigating a report of a burglary at Tidal Vapes in Totton, which happened around 3.20am this morning.

‘It was reported a large quantity of vape items was stolen from inside the store.

‘Officers attended and enquiries are ongoing.’