THIEVES stole 12 chainsaws and some high-end clothing in a smash-and-grab ram raid.

They used a stolen Land Rover Defender to break through the doors at the Countrywide store, off Dymock Road, Ledbury.

Police said the vehicle was taken from Malvern at some time after 11pm on Saturday, May 6, and used in the ram raid at 2.30am the next day.

The intruders left the blue 4x4 outside the store when they fled the scene in an unknown vehicle.

Andrew White, the retail director for Countrywide, said: "They stole a 4x4 and drove through the entrance on the right side of the store.

"They stole garden machinery worth about £2,000.

"The interesting thing is the supplier said a number of other retailers have been targeted in the same way.

"The police believe the same people are going around doing it, as most are off the M5."

Mr White said the damage caused to the store's roller shutter and entrance could cost up to £3,000 to repair.

He added that the thieves also stole about £400 worth of clothing from the shop, which stocks high-end brands such as Barbour.

The store reopened the next day, with customers using an entrance on the left side of the premises.

"I'd like to say our priority is serving the customer and that we want to prevent this from happening in the future," Mr White said.

"We are taking immediate and long-term security measures."

The retail director would not elaborate on what security changes were being made, although he did reveal that the incident had been captured on CCTV.

The incident follows a string of recent ram raids in the area, including in Barnards Green, Malvern, and in Kempsey.

Anyone with information about the ram raid should phone the police on the 101 number and quote the incident number 0092s of May 7.

The Land Rover Defender's registration was VRM R254EAX.