Asda wall smashed and iPads taken in raid at Hull Kingswood supermarket

A HUGE haul of computer equipment was stolen from a supermarket on Christmas Day, it has emerged.

Thousands of pounds' worth of equipment, including iPads and laptops, was taken in the morning from Asda, on Kingswood retail park.

Thieves targeted the supermarket giant by knocking a hole through in a wall, knowing store security was reduced.

A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said: "Police were called after a number of electrical items were stolen from Asda supermarket.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013

"Between 4am and 11.15am on Christmas Day, the store was entered and a selection of iPads, laptop computers and sat navs were stolen.

"The exact value of these items is not known."

Members of the public noticed a large hole in the exterior wall shortly after the break-in.

John Whewall saw the damage while out walking on Christmas Day.

Mr Whewall said: "I was passing Asda in Kingswood at about midday and I could see there was a large hole in the rear brickwork, which I assumed was a result of a robbery."

The store remains open as usual following the burglary.

A spokesman for Asda said: "The police are investigating and we are helping with their inquiries.

"As such, we are unable to comment further at this stage."

Lord Mayor Danny Brown said he was surprised to hear of the burglary on the estate.

He said: "As an area, Kingswood has been doing very well in terms of reducing crime, especially in relation to house burglaries.

"These thieves have obviously targeted Christmas Day as it tends to be a quiet time on the estate with a reduced police presence like any area.

"The police worked with area teams throughout December to warn people of the dangers of being victims of crime over the Christmas period and, on a whole, it seems to have worked."

Councillor Brown, who represents the area, said the festive period is an enticing time for criminals.

"Supermarkets and retail stores put a lot of time and effort into creating displays to advertise their products over Christmas and that may provide a greater incentive to thieves," he said.

"I would like to assure residents that we will continue to tackle crime in the area to make the estate a safer and nicer place to live."

The burglary is currently being investigated and police are asking anyone with information to call Humberside Police on non-emergency 101, quoting crime reference 1949190.

• Crime news for Hull and East Yorkshire