Burglars who targeted the BP petrol station known locally as Bennett’s Garage at Wilton in Ross-on-Wye, left the shop and office areas in a huge mess and unable to sell fuel for several days.

They broke in to the petrol station between 2am on Christmas Day and the early hours of Boxing Day. Christmas Day is the only day of the year the petrol station is closed. Owner, John Bennett was shocked and distressed when he discovered the amount of damage when he arrived to open up on Boxing Day.

He told the Ross Gazette, “They absolutely wrecked the place, they cut the phone lines and ripped equipment apart.”

The damage caused to the tills means that the staff are unable to sell fuel as all the equipment is linked. Mr Bennett explained that because everything is linked to a system, if there is damage to one part, nothing works.

He has been trying to get the equipment repaired in order to re-open but as the Gazette went to press on Tuesday he was still waiting. He said, “I want to apologise to all our customers that we are closed at the moment, and we are doing all we can to get open again as soon as possible.”

He praised the police who had been present all day, on Boxing Day, carrying out forensic and other inquiries. He also paid tribute to his staff. He said, “Several members of staff turned up and helped with a mass clear-up, they have been very good.”

He said, “I know it wasn’t my home but it is my business and it is awful to see the damage.”

The burglars even knocked a hole in a wall between the shop and the office.

A police spokesman confirmed that the burglars were on the premises for a while. They stole a number of items and caused extensive damage. The police appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious on Christmas Day or in the early hours of Boxing Day, or anyone hanging around before this incident, to contact the police on 101. They would also like to hear from anyone who has any information about anyone selling electrical equipment.

Mr Bennett hopes to be able to reopen the petrol station on Wednesday, December 30th.UPDATE: The petrol station is now open as usual.