BURGLARS ransacked an Urmston electrical cigarette shop in an early morning raid, stealing up to £40,000 worth of stock.

Staff discovered that Electro Vapours, on Flixton Road, had been burgled when going to open the shop at around 8.50am this morning.

The shutter had been forced open by the intruders and a heavy duty lock had been smashed open. The employee discovered all of the shelves had been emptied and alerted the police and shop owner.

It is thought that the burglary took place at around 2 o’clock on Tuesday May 3 and CCTV has been handed over to police.

Officers are investigating the incident and no arrests have been made.

Jay Singh, owner of Electro Vapours, said: “We have been trading here for about three and a half years and I never thought this would happen. I am really surprised no-one heard anything, the shop is surrounded by houses.

“We have proper security so I am shocked they got through it. There is a panel with bolts around the lock and they hacked that off the wall.

“The guy who discovered it was shaken up, it’s terrible. We have had lots of customers in today and we have no stock to sell them.”

Jay said that all stock is identifiable, as it boasts the Electro Vapour trademark. Electro Vapour items are only sold in an official store and not through a third party.

Anyone who is offered an Electro Vapour product or has information about the crime should contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.