RAM raiders made off with thousands of pounds worth of clothing after smashing their way into a Wall Heath children's clothing store.

Offenders in a 4x4 rammed into the front window of Poppydoll clothing in the High Street at around 11.30pm last night (Thursday December 2).

Leaving a trail of damage behind, they made off in a separate white car.

The shop's owner, who asked not to be named, said: "They've left a real mess and they took a lot - thousands of pounds worth of items."

She said the incident had "come as a complete shock", adding: "I've been in the village for 10 years and never had any problems, not even with shoplifting, until two weeks ago."

She said she suffered an earlier break in on November 20 and that there had been a spate of shop raids recently including a break-in at Greggs in Market Street, Kingswinford, on Wednesday December 1 and Something Special in Townsend Place, Kingswinford, on November 12.

The shop, which sells designer children's wear, had been doing well this year despite the Covid pandemic, but the break-ins have left her wanting to move out of the village, she said.

She told the News: "Wall Heath is a lovely village, the people are lovely - but it's extremely quiet at night; there's nobody around, no CCTV, there's just nothing. Up until last night I hadn't seen a police officer in the village."

She said the raid and the devastation left in the shop had "shocked the village" and added: "There needs to be more of a police presence in the village."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police confirmed police were investigating and said: "We’ve already spoken to people who witnessed what happened."

Anyone with any information is asked to message police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk (between 8am and midnight) or call 101 anytime, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and quote investigation number 20/1920777/21.