A ‘SIGNIFICANT amount’ of Yankee candles were stolen in an early morning raid at an independent store. 

Thieves smashed their way through the door of The Candle Jar on Wimborne Road.

They snatched a haul of goods from the candle and home fragrance shop during the break-in during the early hours of Tuesday morning. 

Bournemouth Echo:

The shop manager who has been left ‘devasted’ said: “It happened at about half of three [on Tuesday] morning when I got a phone call from somebody that lives above to say that it had been broken into through the bottom panel.

“They've gone in through the bottom door, which seems to be a bit of a pattern with shops around here.

“They took a significant amount of candles, which are worth a lot of money”.

“Forensics have been working hard all day and they've only just left.

“I feel devastated.

“I started the business from scratch 16 years ago and never had anything like this happen before.”

They added: “The stock that's been taken, I won't be able to get that again until after Christmas.

“This is supposed to be our busiest time of the year because it's candles and this is our season now.

It comes after a spate of break-ins reported on Winton High Street since the beginning of November.

Around six charity shops, a Holland & Barrett, and a tattoo studio have been among those affected.

Bournemouth Echo:

The manager, who wished to remain unnamed, added: “It's just a real violation because businesses that have survived Covid and the recession now get targeted like this.

“It’s worrying because we don’t know what shop is going to be broken into next.”

Dorset Police say their investigation is in its early stages and they are unable to confirm any link to any other incidents at this time. 

A spokesperson for the county force confirmed that enquiries are ongoing, however, no one has been arrested.