A 100-YEAR-OLD business in Abergavenny has been repeatedly targeted by thieves in recent weeks with the owner considering shutting up shop as a result.

The Leather, Glass & Tobacco Shop has been in White Horse Lane, Abergavenny, for nearly a century and is one of the few tobacconists left in Wales.

But owner Tony Cox, 67, says the store has been hit by a series of thefts and attempted thefts in the past few weeks.

 

During one of the incidents the burglars made off with expensive Cuban cigars, leaving Mr Cox was around £20,000 out of pocket.

They even swiped the charity box at the store which has maintained the tradition of hand-rolling and pipe tobacco in jars which can be weighed to be sold.

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Mr Cox said the latest incident occurred on Monday when burglars damaged a wooden panel he had only installed to cover up damage from a previous attack.

Mr Cox say there have been five separate incidents in total.

He also said he believes a lack of police presence in the area is a contributing factor.

“The town is lawless at the moment," added Mr Cox.

“The police are stretched too thin. It is not the fault of the individual officers, they are just trying to do their jobs.

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“However, they simply cannot be in two places at the same time.”

Mr Cox said more officers need to be out on patrol more regularly.

Damian Sowrey, of Gwent Police, said: “We are aware that there has been a spate of burglaries in Abergavenny and that one premises in particular has been targeted on more than one occasion.

“Abergavenny is patrolled regularly throughout the day and night and we will use the powers available to us, such as stop and search, to disrupt criminal activity.

Monmouth Assembly Member Nick Ramsay said he was concerned by the news and would be discussing the matter with the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner.

“When the owner of a 100-year-old business is threatening to shut up shop, clearly this is a matter which needs to be addressed," he added.

“I will be raising the issue with police commissioner Jeff Cuthbert and look forward to hearing his response.”

Members of the community are asked to report information regarding the break-ins or any other incidents via 101 or send us a direct message via the Gwent Police Facebook and Twitter social media pages.