A village which has been targeted by thieves on a number of occasions over the last couple of weeks is becoming more attractive to criminals, a community figure has said.

A newly opened supermarket was targeted by criminals in an attempted robbery this week following a robbery at a petrol station and a series of thefts from three vehicles all in Bourne End.

The crime wave has caused concern amongst residents, but the latest attack on Tesco, in the Parade, has not been linked to the other recent offences, police have said.

On Saturday evening at about 6.40pm two men attempted to raid the Tesco store – which was only officially opened two weeks earlier – using screwdrivers to try and prise open tills before fleeing empty-handed.

This week Bourne End Residents Association chairman Bourne End condemned the crimes but suggested the village is far more susceptible to criminals now shops stay open later in the evening.

He said: “Whether or not these crimes would have happened anyway is just speculation, but when we had a village where all the shops closed at 5pm it was a less attractive prospect for criminals.

“Now we have the Co-ops and BP and Tesco staying open later it becomes possible that criminals will be far more likely to try and abuse that.

“The further you get away from being a sleepy village the more likely it is, unfortunately.

“If these places are open in the evening and have things inside like money, cigarettes and booze people may be more inclined to try and come and help themselves.”

The first robbery took place on Sunday, February 15, when two men stole cash from forecourt staff at the BP garage, in The Parade.

One of the suspects was described as white, in his twenties and was wearing a dark scarf which was wrapped around his nose and mouth.

Following that attack three cars were then broken into across the village on Friday, February 20, and Saturday morning.

Nothing was taken from two of the vehicles in Lower Ridge, but tools were stolen from a silver Ford Transit parked in Burroughs Crescent.

Anyone, with information on any of these incidents should contact Thames Valley Police on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org