BURGLARS smashed their way into an independent shop to steal enough furniture to kit out a bedroom, The thieves disabled the CCTV at the Oxford Furniture Warehouse in Abingdon Road, Oxford, before shattering the front door with a concrete slab to get in.

Last night business owner Chris Green told of her frustration at being broken into for the third time in a decade and her belief that the items taken were stolen to order.

She was woken on Tuesday morning by a friend telling her the door of the shop had been broken. Burglars had smashed their way in using a coping stone prised off the top of a nearby wall.

She later picked up an answerphone message from police who told her the shop had been targeted by burglars – the third time since 2003.

Ms Green said: “The shop has been broken into twice from the back, but this is the first time that it has been from the front.

“They switched the CCTV box off and took the memory card out of it. Police got a call from someone at the bus stop on Monday night, but I didn’t know until 7.15am the next day.”

Ms Green thinks the gang, who must have had a van to make off with the furniture, seemed to know what they were looking for.

She said: “They broke the glass and took the furniture out – it must have been on order for someone.

“They took two chests of drawers, a blanket box, a reclaimed pine desk and a mirror – it was worth between £700 and £800.

“It’s like they were doing a bedroom, but there are items of a lot more value in my shop – there’s antique stuff.”

Speaking of the stress and inconvenience, she added: “I’m a sole trader and I just can’t afford this. I am insured, but there’s a £250 excess – I’m struggling to keep open.”

Anyone with information should call Pc Emma Lavers on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.