A shopkeeper has been left devastated after his store was targeted twice in four days by raiders who escaped with thousands of pounds of stock.

Mohammed Ghafoor is counting the cost after the latest break-in yesterday which saw thieves smash into the front window of the off-licence in Parkside Road, West Bowling before stealing thousands of pounds of cigarettes, alcohol and phone Sim cards.

They also smashed the £2,000 till to bits before making off with £200 inside.

Mr Ghafoor discovered the burglary as he arrived to open up at 7am.

“They have made a massive mess and I am still in shock,” he said. “All the family are here and are asking why someone would do this.

“It could be the same person, or people, because I think more than one person was responsible for this, maybe two or three.

“They used a crowbar to lever the shutter up and smashed the front window.

“It must be someone who knows the shop and I do not know why the alarm never went off yesterday.

“I just cannot believe it. People are coming in for newspapers and things and we just have to put coins and notes on the counter because we have no till.

“I don’t know what we are going to do, the shop is empty of stock. It is really hard to try to pick it up and I don’t know where we will start.”

The first theft took place on Tuesday this week when burglars got through the roof from a neighbouring empty building and stole cigarettes.

And when he arrived at the shop, Mr Ghafoor was confronted with chaos with smashed glass, bottles and coins strewn all over the floor.

Sergeant Ian Abbot, of the Little and Great Horton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said that tackling burglary was a number one priority.

“We are doing everything we can to trace those responsible,” he said. “NPT officers will be contacting the owner of the store in relation to possible crime prevention measures which can be put in place to prevent further incidents.

“Anyone with information about the burglaries should contact Bradford South Police on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.