AROUND £1,000 of computer equipment was stolen from a Wellington shop in the early hours of Hallowe'en.

Micro Check, in North Street, was targeted in the raid at about 4.30am, when an eye-witness believes they saw two youngsters running away from the scene.

The offenders smashed a window to get at the equipment before running off.

Matthew Bolton, an engineer at Micro Check, said: "I don't think it was anything to do with Hallowe'en, it was just someone taking an opportunity.

"The main things taken were two laptop computers and a few other bits. The total cost was about £1,000 but the window they broke was worth as much again."

The manager of the shop, Gary Grensted, was notified by police on Tuesday morning and is now waiting for forensic investigations to be carried out.

Mr Bolton said this was the fourth time a window had been broken at the premises in seven years.

He said: "A local resident said they saw two young men running off just after it happened. There have been a fair few incidents in Wellington recently but it is most likely opportunist youngsters."

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Wellington Police Station on 0845-4567000.