Shaunette Kerley Mrs K’s Fruit and Veg shop break-in Helston

However, the incident has left Shaunette Kerley, owner of Mrs K's Fruit and Veg shop feeling "violated". 

Police officers were called to the shop in Meneage Street at around 10.30pm on Monday night, following a report of a break-in from neighbours.

On arrival they found the toughened door to the shop smashed, and items had been thrown around, leaving mess all over the shop floor.

Mrs K's owner Shaunette and her husband were contacted by their neighbours next to the shop, alerting them to what had happened, and they arrived to speak to police.

The toughened glass door was smashed (Image: NQ staff)

They then remained at the shop until 3.30am, cleaning the mess, and making sure the produce was ready for when they were due to open the next morning. 

Shaunette told the Packet described the whole incident as "horrendous". 

She said: “I feel totally violated and shocked. It was horrendous.

“We do our best to try to support local businesses, by buying our produce from local suppliers and to try to keep up with the cost of living to try to help people, and now this happens.

“I have to thank the police for their support, they were incredible.”

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Shaunette and her husband moved to Cornwall for 12 years and opened the business, where they have gained some "amazing customers" she said. 

CCTV images show the mess made inside the shop after the break in on Monday (Image: NQ staff)

“We would like to thank the neighbours for alerting the police, our amazing customers for their continued support, and everyone who has sent us good wishes,” added Shaunette.

“I would also like to thank my husband for helping whilst working full time and leaving early in the morning to get produce from local farmers.

“People in Helston stick together to look after one another to look after one another.”

A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police are investigating a break-in at a Helston shop on Monday night, 10 July.

"An offender entered Mrs K’s Fruit and Veg shop in Meneage Street around 10.30pm.

"The front door window was smashed and the rear door damaged but it is not believed anything was stolen. 

"Police are investigating and appealing for any witnesses who may have seen or heard anything suspicious at the time to contact them.

"Please contact police via the Force website or telephone 101, quoting crime reference 50230192186."