THIEVES have stolen all meat stock from a butchery business which the owner has described as a “kick in the teeth.”

Jason Baldwin, who runs the Butchers Block at Carrots Farm Shop, in North Petherton, estimates the value of the stolen stock at £1,000.

Legs of lamb, ribs of beef and rolled sirloin was targeted by thieves who he believes are drug addicts who will sell the meat on cheap.

Mr Baldwin, who runs the business with his wife, Tina Cole, said: “This theft is another kick in the teeth.

“It’s very hard at the moment, trade is slow because of the hot weather and this is the last thing we need.

“It’s disgusting. Supermarkets are different, they can take the hit.”

He understands the shop was broken into between in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

But he says it was not just his shop that was targeted – he says a lorry, a burger van and a nearby florist was also raided.

He added: “A neighbour heard a lot of goings on over here. They also broke into a lorry, a burger van here on site and the flower lady’s shop and stole a collection box – they did the whole lot.

“Fortunately, I’m insured but that’s not the point. I’m missing meat which I still need to pay for.

“We are talking legs of lamb, ribs of beef, rolled sirloin and various other bits that were there; everything that a butcher carries.

“A lady up here gave a description of people that came up a couple of weeks ago – they certainly weren’t the types to buy flowers for their nan.”

He says the meat is of a good quality and one of the ribs of beef was valued at around £100 which could have easily been sold on.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We’re investigating after a quantity of meat was stolen from a mobile butchers sited on Taunton Road, North Petherton.

“The incident happened overnight between Tuesday, 24 July and Wednesday 25 July."

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area around these times is asked to call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5218166206.