TEENAGERS are thought to be responsible for breaking into a long-established butcher’s shop in Verwood and making off with... some eggs.

The window of Billy Andrews’ shop, AW Andrews in Manor Road, which has been there for 60 years, was smashed on Monday night.

A neighbour saw three people running away, one of whom was wearing a grey hoodie and all of whom were carrying white carrier bags.

Concerned staff searched the premises fearing knives or charity boxes had been stolen, but all they believe to be missing are eggs.

One staff member said: “Obviously the big worry was they’d taken knives, but they’re all there.

“They haven’t gone in the till, haven’t taken any of the charity boxes. Maybe the neighbour disturbed them before they could get anything.

“We looked and looked and all we found were some egg boxes outside.”

He added: “Apart from some lead getting taken from a flat roof four years ago we haven’t had anything like this happen before that I can remember. It’s not like Verwood at all.”

Police are investigating the incident, which happened at about midnight.

Harry Fox, who caught the trio in the act from his flat above the shop, said it sounded as if the raiders were breaking into his home as they smashed the window just beneath his daughter’s bedroom.

The staff member said: “Police have an idea who it is and say they will be speaking to people today. They took glass samples which they will be looking for on the clothes of the youths they suspect might be behind this.”

The shop was boarded up, cleaned and open the same day.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.