Group of people make off with large amount of stock from local company

China Blue in Totnes has been the victim of a theft after a group of people left with "bags full of products" without paying for them. 

China Blue were visited by a group of people on Saturday and have warned other shops in Totnes to "please be aware of the opportunists who visit". 

A spokesperson for China Blue said: "As an independent business in the centre of Totnes, events like these both shock and upset us.

"We have logged the crime with the police but we thought we’d like to give the thieves a chance to return our products before we pursue this any further.

"We do have security cameras around our building as well as inside, so we have plenty of footage of their visit.

"The police visited us this afternoon (Thursday) and we have had to take down our original [social media] post but we are much closer to a resolution."

Staff have pieced together a timeline of the events:

13.39 Parked in the car parking. The vehicle was a red Peugeot reg GF18 FHR. Four people get out: one man, one dark-haired lady, one blonde lady in a black and white dress and one younger dark-haired lady. They walked in with minimal bags. 

14.01 The lady in the black and white dress went to the car for more empty bags

14.04 The dark-haired lady paid for three items, a plaque, a cup and a jar of chutney/jam

14.11 The lady in black and white dress paid for a few items of food including marshmallows. proceeded to collect handbags from the shelves and out them in another stolen bag for life of ours. Went back to the sofas in the cafe dining area and then back to the other shelving of bags removed at least one and returned to the sofa again

14.41 left with multiple bags full of products

The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately we were very busy and by the time another customer had noticed and made us aware, the group had left.

"We are really blown away with all the support from everyone."

If you have any information, contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101 or by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. quoting crime reference number CR/092306/22