VOLUNTEERS at Rowde Village Shop were devastated to receive a call in the middle of the night from police to tell them the premises had been broken into.

The shop in Marsh Lane, next to the Cross Keys pub, is run by a management committee and has one paid manager and a team of volunteers to run it. 

Parish Council chairman Jackie Bawden said she was shocked and upset at the break-in and burglary at the shop which is run by the village.

Volunteer Jane Weatherstone said volunteers had rallied around all morning to clear up the shop and get it back open by lunch time.

She said: “It is dreadful that something like this has happened here. The shop is run by volunteers who give up their time.”

Mrs Bawden said: “It is dreadful news. The parish council will do all it can to support the village shop.”

It is not yet known exactly what was taken in the raid which happened during the early hours of Monday morning. A lock on the door was broken off.

Early this morning a message on the shop door from Jan Barber told of the break-in and said papers would be delivered as soon as possible.

Sgt Vince Logue, of Devizes police, said: “Police received a call at 00.39hrs this morning that the alarm had been activated and a break-in had been discovered. 

"Police arrived five minutes later but offenders had already left the scene. 

"Once a CSI examination has been completed, a stock take can be conducted to see if anything has been stolen. 

"Any person with information regarding the break in is urged to call CID at Melksham Police Station via 101.”