STAFF from a Torfaen business have spoken out after kids' toys worth thousands of pounds were snatched in an overnight raid.

On Wednesday, May 3, Heritage Fuels of Blaenavon, in North Street, was targeted for a very specific set of items.

The business — which has been open for over three years at its current location — specialises in coal and logs for fuel burners.

But to take advantage of the craze for hand spinners, or ‘fidget spinners’ — a popular stress relief toy — the shop stocked hundreds of the items.

In the break-in, which involved thieves breaking a lock and removing a pane of glass to gain entry, around 200 - 250 of the spinners were stolen, along with a slush machine.

Shop manager Kyle Jones, of Blaenavon, estimated the value of the stolen items at around £3,000 to £4,000.

The 21-year-old said: “We had the toys as it’s a new trend and we were jumping on the band wagon. We ordered 200 of them and kids would always come in seeing if we had them.

“It was taking off like there was no tomorrow and we had prices ranging from £4 to £9.50. I would estimate we lost close to £3,000 to £4,000. It’s unbelievable.”

While the business was “lucky”, in that it had around 150 of the toys locked away, the staff member described the theft as an “inconvenience” and reassured customers that the Heritage Fuels of Blaenavon is still selling the items.

“We had kids coming down and we only had the plain ones (spinners) while in the past, we had all sorts of coloured ones,” he said.

“It has been unbelievable how busy the shop was in recent months, everyone was asking for the spinners and they couldn’t get them from anywhere”.

Mr Jones also believes the shop was targeted, as other items of value were not taken.

"At the time there were only two or three businesses in Blaenavon (selling fidget spinners) and it was quite disheartening that someone could do that,” he said.

“It seems someone had been in the shop prior and they knew what was there prior to breaking in. We also advertised we had them on Facebook”.

In a message to the thieves, he added: “I find it really sad that someone would go to the length of going in to steal kids' toys. It doesn’t make sense. There were other things they could have taken."

Gwent Police are currently investigating the break-in which happened between 5pm on May 3 and 7am on May 4.

A spokeswoman said: “A business on North Street in Blaenavon was broken into and various items were stolen, including a Slush Puppy machine and around 200-250 hand spinners”.

If you have any information on the crime, call Gwent Police on 101 quoting log number 66 4/5/17.