Blyth: Villagers and Co-op staff delivered milk and bread to elderly after store smash and grab

Villagers and staff in Blyth have been praised for rallying round to help elderly people in the area after a smash and grab raid at a Co-op store.
Incident at The Post Office at the Co-op in Blyth near Worksop.Incident at The Post Office at the Co-op in Blyth near Worksop.
Incident at The Post Office at the Co-op in Blyth near Worksop.

Police are continuing their investigation after a stolen JCB was used to break into a cash machine on High Street at around 3.30am on 9th December.

The offenders made off with a safe in a Toyota Hilux and the JCB was left abandoned at the scene.

There were initial concerns for people who might not have been able to travel out of the village to do their shopping during the festive period.

People went round and delivered break and milk to people,” said Martin Grocock, chair of Blyth Parish Council.

“Everyone rallied round. The staff at the store are really good. They are some of the best people in the village.”

“I took a lot of calls from people asking how they could help.”

“It was a good effort by everyone.”

“You do not expect it in a small village like this.”

“There are some elderly people living close so there was a bit of concern.”

The shop re-opened on the evening of Thursday 11th after fears that it might not open for weeks. Part of the store which suffered serious structural damage is still boarded up.

The village is still without a cash machine, but the Co-op have decided to offer the opportunity for shoppers to get extra cash back.

A Co-op spokesperson said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all my staff.”

“They were the ones who delivered bread and milk from the store.”

“It is a big relief to be back open.”