Thieves target independent Chichester business

The owners of Good News in St Martin's Street have spoken out after their newsagents was broken into late last night.

Mike and Joyce Tidy received a call from their alarm company at about 10pm to tell them what had happened.

When a member of staff arrived at work the next day, they found the front door 'completely smashed'.

Mike said: "They tried to kick it in but then decided to use bricks to smash it.

"Then they climbed over the counter and took cigarettes and cigars. Then they ran out and climbed through the broken glass and travelled north up St Martin's."

Even with the damage and loss of stock, Good News made the decision to open 'business as usual' and were still able to send out newspapers.

"Because we do home deliveries, and being Observer day, we had to take the decision to open. We still delivered — too many people rely on us.

"It's just the mess and everything that goes with it."

Police are investigating the burglary and have asked anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Police were called to a report of a burglary at Good News, St Martins Street, Chichester at 10.10pm on Wednesday, February 12.

"Officers attended and found a quantity of cigarettes had been stolen from behind the till.

"Anyone with information is asked to report online or call 101, quoting serial 1450 of 12/02."

A post on the shop's Facebook reads: "We have had two weeks of road works and survived, however last night two youths broke in and stole tobacco stock. Our staff have been very supportive as have our kind customers and friendly neighbours.

"All this at the start of our 30th year at Good News! We are fully open... Nothing stops us!

As of April 1 Good News will have been open in the city for 30 years and has only once been unable to deliver copies of the Chichester Observer due to issues at the printing press.