Shops were broken into during a weekend raid on Dartmouth’s Old Market.A number of shops were targeted. One was left with a smashed window; another shop window was cracked; and door locks had been forced.Council staff said the criminals broke in through the small door to the Old Market by forcing the door and lock free. They predicted the people in question were in the market for a couple of hours considering the amount of damage.David Kelland from the hardware shop said the glass door was damaged and the till was taken.Owner of Chantilly Lace in the corner of the market square said the glass at the front of her shop had been smashed. It has now been boarded up.She said the float was taken which amounted to almost £100. The burglary has resulted in a loss of customers which is important during the summer season and during regatta.

John Walker, who took these photographs in the aftermath of the burglaries, said: "This is not the first time the market has been broken into and it is hoped the the town council would now act on this and instal CCTV cameras around the market.

"One of the shopkeepers did report that money had been taken but the damage caused to the toughened glass doors and windows that’s going to take time to replace and very expensive to repair."

The raid took place during the early hours of Saturday. Police and scene of crime officers were at the market later in the morning.This updates our earlier story.