Mark Griffith Family Butchers was broken into by burglars who took turkeys, hams and 700 pigs in blankets
A butchers has been burgled the night before Christmas Eve – taking its orders from families for the big day.
Butcher Mark Griffith, 62, was preparing for his busiest day of the year before thieves struck – stealing turkeys, gammon joints and 700 pigs in blankets.
Mr Griffith, who owns of Mark Griffith Famiy Butcher in Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan, went into his store at 5am to find the place “completely ransacked”.
Father-of-five Mark, who has run the MD Griffiths butchers for 18 years, said: "There's never a good time for this to happen but during our Christmas rush it's particularly bad.
"We lost turkeys, ducks, chickens, pigs in blankets - all the trimmings that make this time of year so special.
"For some families their whole Christmas spread has been taken.
"It's affected 25 orders but I'm determined not to let our customers down."
He added: “There’s about £15-£20,000 worth of stock in the store, and they’ve taken about a quarter of it.
“I’ve now had to ring round wholesalers to try and restock using my own money. It’s not easy.
“I’m absolutely disgusted.”
Along with the missing meat, thieves also took four charity boxes full of cash.
Mark said: “They’re low-lives. They also pinched the charity boxes.
“Most of them were full.
“There was around £80-£100 taken.”
It’s thought the robbers broke in after they kicked a panel out the front door.
And the theft has left loads of customers without their orders just days before Christmas Day.
But Mark said lots of people have tried to help him – and shown Christmas spirit by donating meat to try and fulfil the orders.
He said: “A couple of butchers have called to try and help us and the public have been bringing in coffee, cake and sandwiches to try and help.
“I’ve been well supported.”
Customer Rowan Young, 50, said: “For a hard working local business to be targeted like this is sickening. And if we are the unlucky ones who’s meat has gone then we fully understand.
“The guys that work in that butchers shop are the heart and soul of this community. You couldn’t meet nicer hard working people. If anyone knows anything please get in touch with the Police.”
South Wales Police have been contacted for comment.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/customers-christmas-meat-orders-stolen-12365120
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