Thieves smash their way into recently re-vamped Honiton business.

The Honiton Tile Company was targeted by thieves after its Heathpark Industrial Estate showroom closed last Thursday evening. Burglars made off with �300.

Devastated Steve Vatter said: “I feel utterly gutted, after all the time and effort we have put into to designing the showroom.

“To have someone come in and smash it up...

“It is the cost of the disruption to the business, with all the repairs – you can’t put a figure on it and tell how much damage this will cause the business in the long term.

“For what they took, it was an awful lot of damage.”

Mr Vatter closed up for the evening at around 7pm and found the broken remains of the display when he opened up the business at 8.30am the following morning.

It is thought the thieves used a crowbar to gain entry through outside shutters.

When the Midweek Herald visited the smashed up showroom it was not yet known if any other items had been taken, apart from the money, which was in a cash box.

Honiton Tile Company designer Claire Johnson said: “Someone just smashed through the display with no regard for the damage caused and the items they broke getting in.

“We don’t actually keep any thing that could be taken away, as they are all fixed displays

“It caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, which outweighs what they took.

“We have never worried about security, but they have made a determined effort and must have thought there was something worth taking.

“What they don’t realise is that our insurance premiums go up, so it is not a victimless crime.”

The company is offering a cash reward to anyone who has information about the incident.

If you can help, call Honiton Police Station on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.