Callous thieves used a sledgehammer to bash through a tobacco shop window and door, before ransacking the place for the third time in two weeks.

The burglars forced open the door of a local family-run tobacconist, rummaged through shelves and cabinets, before stealing expensive Cuban cigars in the third attack on the Leather, Glass & Tobacco shop on White Horse Lane, in the past fortnight.

On December 14, thieves stripped the store of hundreds of packets of tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, leather wallets, two cash registers, and a charity box containing a ‘large amount of cash’.

Criminals returned over the weekend for a third burglary.

This was after a second ransacking last Sunday, when thieves bilked the shop of £4,000-worth of cigarettes and tobacco.

This time, believed to have taken place on Saturday night, they smashed the shop window and belted 12 sledgehammer-sized holes in the front door, leaving owner Tony Cox, 67, utterly despondent.

“This is the third time in two weeks,” said Tony. “This time, they didn’t get as much as we locked all the tobacco and cigarettes away.” ??Tony, who has owned the place for 18 years, told the Chronicle he felt there was ‘nothing’ he could do. And pointed to the lack of police presence in what is a central and busy part of the town centre. ??“There’s not enough police about. That’s for sure,” he said. “They’ve lost control of this town. It is lawless.”

The independent business owner said the current damage total would run toward £3,000, whilst the three burglaries will hit him with a £20,000 bill.

That is not to mention lost trade, he added, as he was forced to turn away three customers in a matter of minutes as he got to work fixing the damaged window, door frames, and bent security gate.

“There are not enough police officers in this town to protect businesses and people,” he said. ??“What is the point? We pay money for police on the streets. But you don’t see them. It’s not the officers, either. It’s down to HQ,” he said.

“Put it this way,” he said, “a 100-year-old business is thinking about shutting up for good. The police have lost control of this town.

“it’s about time David Davies (the local MP) came and took a look. Someone needs to get a handle on this.”

One onlooker said the ‘essence’ of Abergavenny was being failed by a lack of policing.

The further education lecturer, who preferred not to be named, said, “I am gutted to see this. Independent traders are the heart of Abergavenny. To see this happen again is heartbreaking. Taxpayers are being thoroughly let down by our police service. It is criminal.A police spokesperson said, "At approximately 2.20am on Sunday, December 30, 2018, we received reports of a burglary at a shop in Whitehorse Lane, Abergavenny. "Offenders smashed a window to gain entry, before stealing items valued at approximately £500. Enquiries are ongoing." Anyone with information can contact Gwent Police on 101, quoting reference 53 of 30/12/18.