Intruder who broke into the Co-op on Pewsey High Street in the early hours of Tuesday morning came away empty handed thanks to the store’s security system.

The shop’s alarm and a smoke cloak, where the shop fills with smoke to make it difficult for offenders to see, prevented the intruders from taking anything.

Wiltshire Police are appealing for witnesses following the break-in where it is believed two offenders entered via a rear door around 4.40am on Tuesday.

The police are not linking the break-in to a similar incident at Lidl in Devizes where thousands of pounds was taken, just after 2am on Tuesday.

The Co-op, which normally opens at 6am, was closed on Tuesday morning until around 9am.

A police spokesman said: “The offenders set off the alarm and a smoke cloak; this forced them to leave the premises without taking anything.

“They did try and force the cigarette kiosk before they left, but took nothing.”

Police were called at 4.58am and are reviewing CCTV images which show an offender in a while boiler suit and the other in dark clothing holding a bag.

A spokesperson for The Co-operative Food said: “I can confirm that the store was broken in to in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but thanks to security measures nothing was taken.

“The store was closed as a result until around 9am on Tuesday, and we would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience this caused. It is now operating as normal.

“CCTV footage has been passed to the police, who are investigating, and we would appeal for anyone with any information to come forward.”

Wiltshire Police are also appealing for witnesses after an unknown quantity of cigarettes were taken from the Murco Petrol Station on the High Street in Upavon around 10.50pm on Sunday.

A glass sliding door to the petrol station was forced open and once inside the offenders forced a metal shutter door which covered the cigarettes. It is not know how many were taken.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in this area, around this time are asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.