A woman said she felt "panicked" when her family's Morrisons store was smashed and burgled just after 1am on Tuesday morning.

Kavita Patel who works at the Burnham High Street store with her dad Jay, recalled being woken up by her brother with the news that the shop was broken into.

The family drove from their home in Ealing to find the shutter smashed with "glass everywhere" and cigarettes and vapes stolen.

Kavita said: "We were woken up at 1am and my brother came in waking me up.

The family together in London (Image: Kavita Patel)

"No one wants to be woken up to hear that. It's a 40 minute drive so I was dreading what state the shop is in.

"We were panicked that there was a huge hole in the store and that anyone could take whatever they want.

"I'm sure everyone knows that we've been struggling for 4 years and things were looking on the up and we were feeling positive and then this happens.

"I have heard this has been happening quite frequently all over the UK, they target cigarettes as theyre worth a lot of money and theyre quite light to carry.

"Some cigarettes are now £16 and £17 pounds so they can get more money from resells."  

Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation into the burglary and describe the offenders as "wearing balaclavas and dark clothing."

Investigating officer Detective Constable Ben Flaherty, said; “We would like to speak to anyone who has information, CCTV or door cam footage within the area at this time to please come forward.  

"If you have any information around this incident, please contact the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 quoting reference 43240259849 or online."

Morrisons was closed for two days whilst staff cleared up the glass and waited for a new door to be installed.

Kavita also wants to "take precautions to make sure this doesn't happen again" with other retailers on the High Street suggesting bollards.

But this won't just prevent Morrisons from experiencing break-ins in the future, as other shops have been victim to crimes of a similar nature.

Ms Patel said: "I do think they should help but not just for us, I think crime on the High Street every week there's always something happening each week.

"They should put CCTV cameras. We don't want to leave it to the council we will do it ourselves, in a timeline that suits us."

The Burnham community has also been thanked for their well-wishes and support during this tough time for the business.

Kavita added: "I saw the cameras on my phone and on Monday when the forensics were going through the shop, my dad had a few people waiting with him and I was comforted by that knowing members of community were there supporting him. 

"Everyone knows my dad Jay he owns the shop and a lot of my family work there.

"His brother and his son, my brother, sister and I and staff we've known a very long time who have been with our shops work with us and a lovely lady who works at the post office.

"We're a team that's more like a family. "