Two men used bolt cutters to steal a £6k bag from the Phoenix Style shop in Cobham. Surrey Police were made aware of the incident, which happened at the luxury resale shop on Oakdene Parade at 5.30pm on Monday, January 13.
Following the incident, the owner of the store, Paige Mengers, posted on its Instagram page to say two men entered the shop with bolt-cutters to steal a bag worth £6k. Paige added her staff were “scared and shaken” following the incident.
She said: “This is not just an attack on our business, this is an attack on our sense of safety. We are reaching out to you all for any information that you may have.
“If you noticed anything odd on Monday evening at 5.30pm in the Cobham area, please will you let us know.” Surrey Police are investigating the incident, which they have recorded as a shoplifting offence.
The force said: “We are aware that there have been reports of an armed robbery at a shop in Cobham around 5.30pm on Monday evening.
“While it has been reported that bolt-cutters may have been used to remove a high-value handbag from Phoenix Style in Oakdene Parade, there is no suggestion that at any time staff were physically harmed or threatened with violence, and the incident has been recorded as a shoplifting offence, and not an armed robbery.
“However, we recognise that shoplifting and abuse towards retail staff can have a significant impact on victims, businesses, and the surrounding community, and we would like to reassure you that officers have already visited the shop and spoken to staff, and that a full and thorough investigation is underway to identify those responsible.
“We are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any further information which could help us progress our investigation to please DM Surrey Police and quote PR\45250004650
“If you do not wish to speak to police, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”