A VIDEO has captured the moment two crooks appear to brazenly steal cigarettes as terrified shoppers watch on in horror. 

A burglary took place at the Co-op store, in Leigh Road, Leigh, on Friday around 12pm, when two thieves managed to steal goods from behind the shop’s counter.

Footage passed to the Echo by a shopper appears to show a theft taking place.

The eyewitness, who wishes to remain anonymous, had headed into purchase some food and at the time did not hear any sort of “commotion”.

This Is Local London: Location - a Street View image of the co-opLocation - a Street View image of the co-op (Image: Google Maps)

 

After walking down the shop’s last aisle, the witness noticed other shoppers were waiting to use the cashier till to pay for their goods.

The witness claims a masked man pushed past others waiting in the queue and went behind the counter.

Alarmed, the witness then noticed a “man behind the counter” and the pair were seemingly “helping themselves to cigarettes”.

Staff members were standing to one side to avoid any risk of getting hurt.

The witness said: “It was quite surreal as I don’t recall hearing any shouting and they just walked out from behind the counter and exited the shop.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said:  “We’re investigating a burglary at a business premises in Leigh Road, Leigh.

This Is Local London: Leaving - the video shows one person walking away after the incidentLeaving - the video shows one person walking away after the incident (Image: Public)

“When one suspect asked a member of staff to get something, he went behind the counter and gathered a quantity of cigarettes.

“He was then helped by the second man to load the cigarettes into a bag, both men then left the shop.”

This Is Local London: A person is seen behind the counter at the Co-op in LeighA person is seen behind the counter at the Co-op in Leigh (Image: Public)

The force has said that the first man is described as white, of medium build and approximately 5ft 10ins tall.

He was wearing a black Nike hooded top with grey sleeves and black hood, black tracksuit bottoms and grey shoes.

This Is Local London: A person walks away from the counter at the Co-op in LeighA person walks away from the counter at the Co-op in Leigh (Image: Public)

The second person of interest has been described as black, of slim build, and was wearing a black or navy-blue puffer coat with hood up and a black face covering.

He also had a black backpack and black tracksuit bottoms on.

No arrests have been made the police’s enquiries are ongoing.

You can find out how to make an online report by visiting essex.police.uk/digital101.

Alternatively, you can call  the police on 101 and you must cite the crime reference 42/50366/24.