A shop owner in Kingston has been left devastated and has urged people to be more vigilant after thieves burgled his store.

At about 5.07am on Friday, August 18, two helmet-wearing burglars used a moped to break down the door of Buvan’s Stores in Park Road.

They were caught on CCTV breaking in and stealing cash, alcohol and cigarettes.

Owner Kanagasakai Ketheeswaran, who has run the shop for 15 years, is urging people to be “more aware” of crimes such as this.

The 52-year-old said: “It’s a busy street and the alarm was going off.

“Nobody bothered to check it out or call the police- that’s the worst thing.

“You can’t just ignore this kind of thing.

“I want to wake people up- we need to be alert.”

Police arrived at about 5.15am but the culprits had left the area.

A spokesperson for Met Police said: “Two males approached the shop on mopeds and one of the mopeds was used to force open the door of the shop.

“Both males then entered the premises and stole a quantity of items before leaving the scene on the mopeds.

“Officers from Kingston investigate.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.