Ashfield garage giving free supplies to emergency services targeted by thieves for six consecutive days

Beer, wine and champagne have been taken from the BP Sutton garage, on Sutton Road for the last six days, staff say.

Company director Krishanand Sivalpalan said the thefts were costing the business hundreds of pounds.

“They are using the coronavirus situation, they know what they are doing they are grown ups not kids.

“We help people during this crisis, the elderly struggling, give them free bread, milk and eggs. BP gives fuel to the police, fire, ambulance. I have three children, and my wife is a GP on the coronavirus frontline.”

“Then you get people like this, it is very frustrating.”

Area manager Dave Newbold said the first theft occurred last Wednesday evening.

“It was a shock, they just helped themselves,” he said. “We couldn’t believe it when they came back taking more beer and wine six days in a row! One day, they brought a friend and then there were three.

“When you run this type of business you expect the odd shoplifter, but nothing like this.

“They were taking advantage of the coronavirus situation, no-one will challenge them or go near.”

Nottinghamshire Police said a man, aged 34, had been arrested in connection with a total of 23 shop thefts in the Ashfield area.

The force is investigating multiple reports of thefts from retail premises, including one at the BP garage on Sutton Road in Huthwaite on Monday.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Broadhead, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Our local communities and businesses are continuing to work through some incredibly challenging times and I would like to be absolutely clear that Nottinghamshire Police officers, staff and volunteers are continuing to proactively target anyone who we suspect may have been involved in committing offences in our county.

“Officers from a number of departments have searched relentlessly for suspects over the last few days and they will continue to offer their support to local business to protect them from offences, as well as locate and arrest the outstanding suspects.”

The man remains in police custody for questioning.